BP chief rejects misconduct claims after abrupt dismissal by board

BP’s abrupt removal of Albert Manifold has become a test of board discipline at one of the world’s biggest energy companies, after the chair said he was pushed out “without warning and without explanation” and denied any misconduct.

The company said on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, that it had removed Manifold immediately as chair and director over “serious concerns” about governance standards, oversight and conduct. BP said the board’s decision was unanimous and named Ian Tyler as interim chair while it searches for a permanent replacement. Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director, said the board had been “surprised and disappointed” by issues it judged unacceptable.

Manifold hit back in a statement on Thursday, saying he accepted the board’s decision but rejected what he called lies about his conduct. He said he had pushed hard on costs, simplification and balance-sheet strength, but argued that urgency should not be confused with abusive behavior. He also said nobody at BP had raised conduct concerns with him during his tenure. In a separate formulation of his response, he said he had “pushed hard and challenged people directly” and would not let a “false narrative” stand.

The dispute lands in the middle of a broader leadership and strategy reset at BP. Manifold, who was appointed chair in October 2025 and had been in the job for about eight months, had been brought in from CRH as a turnaround figure to drive urgency, cut costs, sell assets and improve profitability. His exit follows years of executive instability at BP and comes after Helge Lund left the chairmanship. It also raises fresh questions about how much continuity the company can preserve as it pursues its latest strategic shift under CEO Meg O’Neill.

The board’s explanation will now face its own scrutiny. Reuters reported that four sources said Manifold had acted aggressively toward colleagues, while other accounts described bullying and verbal abuse allegations. BP said it stood by its statement and added that it had a duty of care to employees affected by his behavior. Manifold’s spokesman declined to say whether he planned legal action, though a source familiar with the matter said he had hired Mishcon de Reya after the dismissal.

Markets were quick to register the scale of the break. BP shares fell as much as 9% intraday after the announcement, closed about 4% lower on Tuesday, and slipped further the next day. At BP’s May 2026 annual meeting, Manifold had already won 81.8% shareholder backing, enough to secure election but not enough to suggest a seamless mandate. The board’s abrupt reversal has now reopened the question of whether BP can deliver a stable governance reset without another damaging turn in leadership.