BP’s recently removed chair, Albert Manifold, is reported to have been involved in internal disagreements with fellow board member Simon Henry regarding the handling of sensitive discussions about a potential corporate deal.

According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Reuters, the dispute took place earlier this year and centred on concerns over how communications related to the deal talks were being managed within the company’s board structure.

Manifold was formally ousted on Tuesday, with BP raising serious concerns about his governance standards, oversight approach, and overall conduct in his role as chair.

Manifold, however, has rejected the company’s characterisation of his removal, stating that he was dismissed without prior warning and disputing claims about his behaviour.

The WSJ report further alleges that Manifold privately accused Simon Henry of exceeding his authority and restricting access to key communications by other directors.Henry has denied any wrongdoing, arguing instead that Manifold’s interpretation of events misrepresents the nature of internal discussions.

Henry, who joined BP in September, is also reported to have left the board during Manifold’s tenure as chair, which saw a reduction in board membership.

The report also highlights broader tensions within BP’s leadership structure, including earlier friction between Manifold and former chief executive Murray Auchincloss.BP has not publicly commented on the matter, while neither Manifold, Henry, nor Auchincloss were available for direct comment.

The situation points to ongoing governance and leadership challenges within the energy giant as it navigates sensitive strategic discussions and internal board dynamics.