Daily Telegraph: Court papers reveal businessman’s secret love

EXTRACT: One alludes to a discussion between Lord Browne, the Prime Minister and Gordon Brown over the prospect of BP potentially taking an important strategic decision. The court documents shed no further light on the discussion. But the reference might have been about Lord Browne’s wish to merge with Shell which would have resulted in the BP head office moving to the Netherlands with the loss of hundreds of jobs in Britain. The BP board was opposed to such a move.

By Andrew Pierce
Last Updated: 1:52am BST 02/05/2007

The High Court ruling against Lord Browne yesterday revealed a tantalising glimpse into the high-powered world of business and politics of Tony Blair’s favourite businessman. The documents are littered with the names of the most senior players in the Blair Government who regularly socialised with the man nicknamed the Sun King.

The court papers also reveal that Lord Browne, whose business career is in ruins, may yet be charged with perjury. Mr Justice Eady, who presided over the first injunction hearings, warned that he could refer the BP chief executive to the Attorney General for perjury.

But he argued that nothing would be achieved by doing so. He added: “In any event, it is probably sufficient penalty that the claimant’s behaviour has had to be mentioned in this judgment.” The judge is arguing that the exposure of Lord Browne as a liar, which would destroy his reputation in the City, would be sufficient punishment.

The papers reveal that Lord Browne often appeared at meetings and functions with his younger lover. In his witness statement Mr Chevalier said: “The Claimant, realising that my clothing was not formal enough for being in public with him, took me to the Venice Prada shop to buy me more formal wear. He would continue to buy me an array of clothing so that I could be presentable once he began to introduce me to his friends.”

When the four-year relationship ended in 2006, Mr Chevalier was in financial difficulties. Lord Browne had given him funds for a lease on a flat in Toronto and the cost of furnishings.

According to Mr Chevalier at a meeting in June 2006, the claimant [Lord Browne] also agreed: “\u2026 that if needed, [he] would assist in the first year of me transitioning from living in multi-million pound homes around the world, flying in private jets, five-star hotels, £2,000 suits, and so on to a less than modest life in Canada.

“The court documents make clear that Mr Chevalier’s plight had been compounded by the fact that he had been out of the employment market for several years. He had some experience in IT work but had left that career path during the period when he was effectively being ‘kept’ by the claimant [Lord Browne].”

No agreement was struck and towards the end of 2006 Mr Chevalier sought further financial assistance. On Christmas Eve in 2006 he sent Lord Browne an email which said: “\u2026 I have nothing left to lose \u2026 I am facing hunger and homelessness after 4 years of sharing your lifestyle \u2026 the least I am asking for is some assistance \u2026 please respond \u2026 I do not want to embarrass you in any way but I am being cornered by your lack of response to my myriad attempts at communication.” The reference to “embarrass you” was the first clear sign to Lord Browne that his former partner was considering going to the newspapers to expose him.

Yet before the breakdown in relations between the two men the court documents reveal that Mr Chevalier was introduced to the great and the good of the new Labour elite. Lord Browne also clearly shared with his lover details of the conversations which he had with the Chancellor and Cabinet members.

One alludes to a discussion between Lord Browne, the Prime Minister and Gordon Brown over the prospect of BP potentially taking an important strategic decision. The court documents shed no further light on the discussion. But the reference might have been about Lord Browne’s wish to merge with Shell which would have resulted in the BP head office moving to the Netherlands with the loss of hundreds of jobs in Britain. The BP board was opposed to such a move.

The court documents disclose one dinner organised by BP executive, who was previously the Prime Minister’s gatekeeper at Downing Street.

At the dinner in June 2005, a relaxed Mr Blair discussed life after government and aspects of his character. Mr Blair may have given some clue about the timing of his departure from No 10, which he has still not clarified. The question of his successor is also thought to have arisen.

At another dinner, held in Lord Browne’s Chelsea home, Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, and his Brazilian boyfriend Reinaldo da Silva were present along with Ms Hunter. They discussed EU trade and Chinese textile quotas.

There is a reference to Lord Browne buying a flat in Venice several years ago. He apparently used the same agent as David and Victoria Beckham to buy it. The builders, according to Mr Chevalier, who carried out renovation works gave Lord Browne two bills. One did not include VAT. He alleged that Lord Browne paid cash. If the allegation is true then Lord Browne “dodged” his tax bill. He vehemently denies the allegation.

The papers also show that Lord Browne feared that his exposure as a homosexual would have damaged both the BP brand and the company. The revelation explains why Lord Browne spent hundreds of thousands of pounds of his own money trying to secure a permanent injunction in the High Court to prevent his sexuality being made public.
 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/02/nbrowne202.xml

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