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Or sign-in if you have an account.A BP Plc logo sits on a totem sign outside a gas station operated by BP Plc in London, U.K., on Feb 2., 2016. Photo by Simon Dawson/BloombergFormer BP Plc Chairman Albert Manifold said nobody raised the issue of his conduct during his time at the oil major, hitting back at what he said were lies “told about me.”Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorBP ousted Manifold on Tuesday after eight months on the job, citing serious concerns related to “governance standards, oversight and conduct.” The company didn’t provide further details in its statement, but people close to BP who requested anonymity said there had been complaints about aggressive behavior by Manifold toward employees, as well as of mishandling sensitive information and seeking to bypass the board.“At no point in my tenure as Chairman of BP has anyone raised with me any issue about my conduct or my relationship with my colleagues,” Manifold said in a statement on Thursday. “I dispute entirely this characterisation of my conduct.”Manifold’s dismissal is the latest in a prolonged period of leadership upheaval at BP, which has included three chief executive officers in as many years, and raises fresh questions about the company’s internal processes at a time when it’s seeking to turn around years of poor performance. Manifold was seen as accelerating BP’s strategic reboot in response to investor pressure.“We stand by the statement we have made,” BP said on Thursday, following Manifold’s comments. “We have a duty of care to all our employees, particularly those impacted by his behaviour.”In a lengthy statement distributed by a public relations firm on Thursday, Manifold acknowledged his push to transform the London-based energy giant.“Is it possible that in my determination to drive change on costs, performance, the balance sheet and shareholder communications, I pushed hard and challenged people directly? Yes, it is,” he said. “But there is a considerable distance between driving an organisation with urgency and the characterisation of my conduct that is now being put about.”BP shares steadied on Thursday, after declining almost seven per cent over the previous two sessions.On Tuesday, BP leaders told investors it will stick with the strategy championed by Manifold since his October appointment. The Irishman, who previously ran building-materials giant CRH Plc, pushed BP to invest in its core oil and gas business, improve operational performance and sell assets.Manifold said he wanted to set an example as he accelerated cost cutting.“I had no interest in taking private aviation nor in availing myself of corporate tickets for sports events,” he said in the statement. “I made my own coffee, bought my lunch in the local café. I sat in a small office, eschewing the grand corner-office privilege of previous Chairmen.”Manifold also dismissed the idea that he wanted to exercise the role of executive chair at BP, saying he had spent just 13 days at the company’s London head office this year. He has hired law firm Mishcon de Reya, according to a person familiar with the matter.The decision to oust Manifold consolidates the authority of new chief executive officer Meg O’Neill, who Manifold hired last year. She has already begun to reshape the company — announcing a restructuring within a couple of weeks of starting in the role last month.The oil giant had underperformed rivals for years after former CEO Bernard Looney, who was removed after failing to disclose personal relationships with colleagues to the board, pivoted the company toward renewable energy.Manifold’s measures showed signs of working. He scored a coup by recruiting former Exxon Mobil Corp. executive O’Neill to join as CEO from Woodside Energy Group Ltd.Boosted by higher crude prices and high trading profits, BP is the second-best performing oil supermajor since the war with Iran began in February. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.