Former BP (BP.L) Chair Albert Manifold said the governance, oversight, and behavior issues cited by the British oil giant for his termination on Tuesday were lies, adding that he disputes the characterization of his conduct.
In a statement distributed by a public relations group on Thursday, Manifold said that "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," according to a same-day report by Bloomberg News.
Manifold, who admitted that his "determination to drive change" may have led him to push hard and challenge people, said "there is a considerable distance between driving an organisation with urgency and the characterisation of my conduct that is now being put about."
In a statement sent to, a BP spokesperson noted Manifold's comments, adding that "We stand by the statement we have made." The company also noted its duty of care to the employees affected by his behavior.