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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/07/co-op-bank-paul-flowers-court-drug-charges
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| Former Co-op bank boss Paul Flowers pleads guilty to drug charges | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The disgraced former Co-operative Bank boss Paul Flowers has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing drugs including cocaine and crystal meth. | |
| The Methodist minister, who was caught in a tabloid sting last year, was surrounded by at least a dozen photographers, whom he denounced as "vultures", as he arrived at court. | |
| Flowers arrived early at Leeds magistrates court and was initially refused entry. After a few minutes, the court staff took pity on him and opened the building. | |
| Flanked by three young bodyguards in dark suits and shirts, Flowers said he had no comment to make. | |
| The 63-year-old admitted two counts of possession of Class A drugs – cocaine and methamphetamine – and one count of possession of the Class C drug ketamine. | |
| Flowers stepped down as the Co-op bank's chairman in June amid claims of illegal drug use and inappropriate expenses payments. | |
| He was also suspended by the Methodist church and the Labour party. | |
| The Co-op confirmed last year that it was seeking to recover contractual payments totalling £31,000 made to Flowers amid reports that he was also the subject of an inquiry into "lavish" expense claims. | The Co-op confirmed last year that it was seeking to recover contractual payments totalling £31,000 made to Flowers amid reports that he was also the subject of an inquiry into "lavish" expense claims. |