BP's ousted chairman Manifold clashed with director over deal talks, WSJ reports

May ​29 (Reuters) - BP's recently ousted chairman Albert Manifold clashed with fellow ​director ‌Simon Henry earlier this year over the handling of ⁠sensitive talks related to a potential ⁠deal, the Wall ​Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

BP ousted Manifold on Tuesday and expressed ​serious ‌concerns about his governance standards, oversight and conduct. Manifold said he was removed without warning and disputed the characterisation of his conduct.

The Journal reported ​that Manifold privately accused Henry of overstepping his authority ‌and excluding other directors from communications, while Henry denied any mishandling of talks, arguing ‌that Manifold was mischaracterising conversations.

A spokesperson for Manifold said he denied making any such allegations about ​Henry.

"Assertions that he accused Mr Henry of overstepping his authority or ‌excluding fellow board members from communications are false," Manifold's spokesperson said.

Henry, who joined BP in September, ⁠was among ⁠those who left under Manifold as ‌his board shrank.

There were also tensions last year between ​Manifold and then-CEO ​Murray Auchincloss, the Journal said.

BP ‌declined to comment, while Henry and Auchincloss could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Carlos Méndez in Mexico City, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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