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Paul Flowers arrested over drugs allegations Paul Flowers arrested over drugs allegations
(35 minutes later)
The former chairman of the Co-op Bank has been arrested in Merseyside in connection with a "drugs supply investigation", the BBC understands.The former chairman of the Co-op Bank has been arrested in Merseyside in connection with a "drugs supply investigation", the BBC understands.
Paul Flowers, 63, was filmed handing over £300 apparently for cocaine and other illegal drugs.Paul Flowers, 63, was filmed handing over £300 apparently for cocaine and other illegal drugs.
Following the revelations he was suspended from both the Methodist Church and the Labour Party. Following the revelations he was suspended from both the Methodist Church, where he was a minister in Bradford, and the Labour Party.
He left his position as deputy chairman of the Co-op group in June. He left his position as deputy chairman of the Co-op Group in June.
In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: "Officers have... arrested a 63-year-old man in the Merseyside area in connection with an ongoing drugs supply investigation.In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: "Officers have... arrested a 63-year-old man in the Merseyside area in connection with an ongoing drugs supply investigation.
"He has been taken to a police station in West Yorkshire where detectives will continue their enquiries.""He has been taken to a police station in West Yorkshire where detectives will continue their enquiries."
Since the Mail on Sunday published a video of Mr Flowers allegedly paying for and discussing drugs, it emerged he had resigned as a Bradford Labour councillor after pornography was found on his computer. 'Unjustified smears'
Labour have since sought to distance themselves from the Methodist minister as a political row has developed over how he was allowed to reach the heights of the Co-operative Bank. The BBC has learned that Mr Flowers resigned from the Co-op Group over concerns about his expenses.
Separately, he was forced out of its banking arm because of doubts about his competency for the job.
Since the Mail on Sunday published a video of Mr Flowers allegedly paying for and discussing drugs, Labour have sought to distance themselves from the Methodist minister as a political row has developed over how he was allowed to reach the heights of the bank.
Until 2011 he was a Labour councillor in Bradford and subsequently served for the party on what it says was an informal advisory group.
On Thursday, Ed Miliband accused David Cameron of "unjustified smears" over Labour's links with Mr Flowers.
The Labour leader said the prime minister was scoring "cheap political points" and ignoring serious regulatory issues.
Church questions
The prime minister has suggested the Labour Party knew of concerns about Mr Flowers but did not act on them, but Mr Miliband said he was confident Labour had acted with "complete integrity".
Mr Cameron has ordered an inquiry into how Mr Flowers was considered to be a suitable chairman for the Co-op Bank.
The Methodist Church has said it is providing "pastoral care" for the minister, who is suspended pending an investigation.
Assistant general secretary Rev Gareth Powell said: "Inevitably, it's regrettable when the allegations made against one minister then tarnishes the extremely good and honourable work undertaken by all of our ministers," he told the BBC.
"Certainly the actions that are now under public scrutiny inevitably raise a question about the role of the church."