BP names former MI6 spy chief as director

(MENAFN- Arab News) LONDON: BP has appointed Britain's former MI6 spy chief and veteran diplomat John Sawers as a non-executive board member in a development highlighting long running links between the British establishment and the oil major.
The appointment comes only weeks after the cabinet issued a warning saying it would oppose any potential takeover of BP as it wants the company to remain a national champion.
Britain's foreign office said it had accepted the application from Sawers to join BP on condition that 'he should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in the secret service.'
It also added that 'Sawers should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employers their parent companies or their clients' for two years from his last day of service which was Nov 1 2014. The standard cooling off period is designed to address the 'revolving-door' policy concerns when former spies embark on top roles at companies which can then exploit their knowledge.