Shell-shocked boardrooms rarely spill their secrets. But sources close to BP’s abrupt chairman ousting have confirmed the unvarnished truth: a toxic culture of bullying and overbearing behaviour forced the hand of the board. The removal, announced late last night, caps weeks of internal turmoil that has left investors reeling and insiders whispering of a cover-up.
Documents obtained by this desk reveal a pattern of intimidation by the former chairman, whose name remains under legal embargo. Multiple whistleblowers described a man who “crushed dissent with personal insults and threats”. One former senior executive said: “He would summon you to his office, face-to-face, and just tear into you. It was very personal.”
The tipping point came when an internal investigation, launched after a series of complaints from female staff, uncovered evidence of shouting matches and public humiliation. The report, which remains confidential, recommended immediate termination. The board acted within 48 hours, a speed that suggests the findings were damning.
BP’s official statement cited “personal reasons”. But sources confirm that is a whitewash. The real reason is a culture of fear that permeated the top floor. One junior analyst told me: “People were afraid to speak up. He ran the place like his personal fiefdom.”
This is not an isolated incident. Britain’s corporate elite has been rattled by a string of bullying scandals. But BP’s case is particularly striking given the company’s public commitment to “ethical leadership”. The hypocrisy is staggering.
Investors are now asking: how deep does the rot go? The chairman was a key figure in BP’s energy transition strategy. His removal throws that strategy into question. Shares dipped 2 per cent in early trading, but the real damage is to the company’s reputation.
We have learned that at least two other board members may face disciplinary action for failing to report the behaviour earlier. The board’s own ethics committee is now under scrutiny. One shareholder told me: “We were lied to. They told us everything was fine.”
This is a developing story. I will keep you posted as more documents emerge. The trail of money, and bodies, always leads somewhere.
