May 2 - Once known as the 'Sun King', John Browne steps down early as BP CEO after admitting lying in a court statement.
Browne lied in the statement about how he met gay lover Jeff Chevalier in a legal challenge which aimed to prevent details of their four-year relationship being made public by Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper.
There were also allegations of improper business conduct over the use of BP resources for Chevalier, which Browne strenously denies.
When that injunction was lifted by the court, details of Browne's lie emerged and he decided to depart BP two months earlier than planned.
His previously designated successor Tony Hayward has already taken over the top job at BP.
Karen Noack reports.
FEATURED SPEAKER:
Peter Wright, Editor, Mail on Sunday
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