Former Co-Op Boss Flowers Charged Over Drugs

Former Co-Op Bank boss Paul Flowers has been charged with two counts of possession of a class A drug and one of a class C drug.

The former Methodist minister was arrested in Liverpool by West Yorkshire Police officers last year.

A police spokesman said: "Paul Flowers, 63, of Hollingwood Drive, Bradford, has been charged with two offences of possession of a class A drug and one offence of possession of a class C drug.

"He has been bailed to appear before Leeds magistrates on May 7."

Mr Flowers stepped down as chairman of the Co-Op bank in June last year.

Clare Stevens, from CPS Yorkshire and Humberside's Complex Casework Unit, said: "We have carefully considered a file of evidence gathered by West Yorkshire Police in relation to alleged criminal offences committed by Paul Flowers in Bradford in November 2013.

"Following a review of the evidence, I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Paul Flowers with possession of class A and class C drugs relating to an incident on 9 November 2013.

"The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Paul Flowers will appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court on 7 May 2014."