The former BP chair has pushed back strongly against what he calls “lies” about his conduct, describing a modest personal routine during his tenure that included making his own coffee, refusing a chauffeur-driven limousine, and eating lunch at a local café.

In a striking statement, Albert Manifold, who was dismissed this week over what BP described as “serious concerns” about his conduct, said he rejects “that lies can be told about me, nor that anyone should be allowed to hide behind anonymity when commenting on my time at BP”.

He wrote, “I had no interest in having a dedicated chauffeur-driven limousine at my beck and call. I, like most people, walked, took taxis, trains etc.

“I had no interest in taking private aviation nor in availing myself of corporate tickets for sports events.”

He added, “I made my own coffee, bought my lunch in the local cafe. I sat in a small office, eschewing the grand corner-office privilege of previous chairmen.

“I did these things because I wanted to set an example.”

The 63-year-old former chief executive of Irish building materials group CRH also said his priorities as BP chair—especially his focus on safeguarding shareholder interests, often diverged from those of other figures within the company.

The statement read: “When I arrived at BP last year, I found a company that, in my view, lacked strategic cohesion and direction. I also believe it lacked clarity on messaging, urgency of delivery, and I believe those issues could have impacted shareholders’ interests.

“From my very first day, I set out to address these matters and ensure that shareholder interests continued to be front and centre of everything that BP did.

“Throughout my professional career I have been a passionate advocate of shareholders’ rights and have had a relentless focus on simply making businesses better. I continued to do this during my time at BP, however, it felt to me that my priorities were not always shared by everyone.”

BP’s board dismissed him with immediate effect on Tuesday.

Mr Manifold has “entirely” rejected the characterisation of his behaviour, following allegations from sources that he was a bully and that meetings were marked by “lots of yelling.”