Court papers reveal website where BP boss met ex-partner
Lord Browne, who resigned as chief executive of BP yesterday, met his former partner on an escort website.
The peer quit his job after it was revealed that he lied to the High Court about where he met Jeff Chevalier.
He told the court three times in written statements that they met in Battersea Park.
It has now been revealed that he met Mr Chevalier through an online escort service called Suited and Booted.
The phrase “suited and booted” refers to men who are smartly dressed, and may indicate it markets its escorts as clean-cut professional types.
The website, founded in 1998, claims to be the first and largest internet-based service in the UK and describes itself as “London’s premier escort agency – offering a first name, friendly and personal service.”
PinkNews.co.uk attempted to access the site this afternoon, but it is down due to “technical reasons.”
An archived version of the site from 28th April 2007 features nearly 100 young men offering escort services. It also claims to give £1 from each booking to charity.
The Daily Express quotes a source close to Lord Browne:
“He felt ashamed and humiliated at the way he had come to know Chevalier and he did not want the world to know they had met on a gay website.
“When it came to the court hearing, Lord Browne stuck to that version but Chevalier chose not to.
“Lord Browne immediately felt guilty, knowing that he had not been honest. It was gnawing away at him and two weeks later he retracted his statement because he felt it was wrong to lie to a court.”
Lord Browne’s decision to lie about meeting Mr Chevalier on the site has cost him dearly. It is estimated he will miss out on over £15m in pay and bonuses by leaving BP immediately. He was due to stand down as chief executive in July.