Richard Sharp leaves BBC Chair over breach of public appointments rules by arranging loan for Johnson
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London: The revelation that his appointment as BBC Chair was secured with the support of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson has caused Richard Sharp to resign from the position.
An investigation by the commissioner of public appointments concluded that Richard Sharp had breached the rules governing public appointments, as he had secured his appointment as BBC Chair by arranging an £800,000 loan for Boris Johnson, who then supported Sharp's candidacy for the position.
The investigation reportedly found that Boris Johnson had personally endorsed Richard Sharp's appointment as BBC Chair, despite the fact that such appointments are meant to be made through an independent process. This created a potential perceived conflict of interest.
Richard Sharp has announced his resignation as the chair of the BBC, following an investigation that found he breached rules on public appointments by arranging an £800,000 loan for Boris Johnson, who then endorsed Sharp's appointment to the role.
Although breaches of the rules do not necessarily invalidate appointments, Sharp said that his position was no longer tenable and that he would step down in June, allowing for a rapid appointment of his successor by Rishi Sunak's government.
Earlier this year, the Sunday Times revealed that Sharp had secretly assisted an acquaintance, Sam Blyth, who wanted to offer a personal loan guarantee for Johnson. At the time, the prime minister was facing financial difficulties due to his divorce and new family, and the loan became public only after he left office.
Sharp introduced Blyth to Simon Case, head of the civil service, to discuss the loan, but Sharp maintains that he had no further involvement and there is no evidence that he played a role in arranging or financing the loan.
Sharp admitted that he did not realise he had to declare the introduction during the recruitment process for the BBC job, and said that the breach was inadvertent. However, his resignation has raised questions about the BBC's relationship with the Conservative government and whether it has been influenced too heavily by ministers.