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Former Co-op bank boss Paul Flowers pleads guilty to drug charges Former Co-op bank boss Paul Flowers pleads guilty to drug charges
(about 1 hour later)
The disgraced former Co-operative Bank boss Paul Flowers has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing drugs including cocaine and crystal meth.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.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. Flowers, dubbed the Crystal Methodist, appeared before magistrates in Leeds where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of Class A drugs – cocaine and methamphetamine – and one count of possession of the Class C drug ketamine.
Flanked by three young bodyguards in dark suits and shirts, Flowers said he had no comment to make. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £125 costs.
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. The 63-year-old arrived early to the court and was initially refused entry. After a few minutes, court staff took pity on him and opened the building.
On arrival at the court, he was flanked by three young bodyguards in dark suits and shirts and said he had no comment to make.
Flowers stepped down as the Co-op bank's chairman in June amid claims of illegal drug use and inappropriate expenses payments.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.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.