Gay Former BP CEO Appointed to British Govt. 

Former BP CEO Lord John Browne, who stepped down from the company amid allegations he'd used company money to finance an apartment for his longtime partner, has been appointed to a high-ranking post in the British government.

According to reports, Browne will be tasked with streamlining government and is expected to push through spending cuts and productivity improvements "as a non-executive director."

Browne was seen as a hugely successful CEO during his time at BP, but his government appointment may be controversial in light of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which many blame on a cost-cutting culture at the company.

In his memoirs Browne wrote of the deaths of 25 people at BP's Texas City, Texas, oil refinery and a large oil spill in Alaska in 2006, which both happened while he was at the company. He blamed his arrogance and a culture of complacency at the company.

Browne retired from BP in 2007 and later faced charges of perjury after lying to a court about his relationship with Canadian partner Jeff Chevalier. Browne originally claimed the pair had met in an exercise class but later admitted they had met on a gay hookup site.

Browne later said he lied because he was afraid of being outed.