Business Insight Zone

Lord Browne’s abrupt and embarrassing resignation as head of oil giant BP has thrown the courtly executive and his lifelong employer into a harsh spotlight. Browne resigned after it emerged that he had lied under oath about details of his romantic relationship with another man.

His planned retirement from BP had already been accelerated, presumably because of a string of recent safety, legal, and operations problems within the company’s US operations. Now the one-time star executive of the oil industry faces ignominy and, possibly, legal action for perjury.

In a prepared statement, Browne made pains to separate his personal life and troubles from any hint of wrongdoing in his role at BP. The company itself has said that no evidence suggests any malfeasance by Brown in his role as CEO.

Under Browne’s leadership, BP has become a leader among major oil companies in seeking out alternative energy sources and addressing concerns about global warming. Now it falls to Browne’s successor, Tony Hayward, to repair the company’s reputation and performance as it moves forward.