London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Apr 24, 2025

BBC chairman Richard Sharp quits in storm over Boris Johnson loan

BBC chairman Richard Sharp quits in storm over Boris Johnson loan

Investigation came after it emerged Sharp played a role in facilitating loan guarantee for Boris Johnson
BBC chairman Richard Sharp on Friday resigned after a report found that he failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest over playing a role in getting Boris Johnson an £800,000 loan guarantee.

Adam Heppinstall KC’s review found the former Tory donor twice breached the code governing public appointments, risking the perception he was not independent from the then prime minister. Amid a cronyism row, Mr Heppinstall concluded that Mr Sharp “failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest” to the panel that interviewed candidates and advised ministers on his appointment.

In his resignation statement, Mr Sharp acknowledged that the report concluded that he had breached the Government’s code but said it was “inadvertent” and he was quitting to “prioritise the interests” of the broadcaster.

He said: “Mr Heppinstall’s view is that while I did breach the governance code for public appointments, he states that a breach does not necessarily invalidate an appointment. Indeed, I have always maintained the breach was inadvertent and not material, which the facts he lays out substantiate. The Secretary of State has consulted with the BBC Board who support that view.

“Nevertheless, I have decided that it is right to prioritise the interests of the BBC. I feel that this matter may well be a distraction from the Corporation’s good work were I to remain in post until the end of my term. I have, therefore, this morning resigned as BBC chair to the Secretary of State, and to the Board.” The former banker announced he will stand down in June — sparing Rishi Sunak having to sack his former Goldman Sachs boss.

The Prime Minister, who is facing calls to make the process of selecting a new BBC chairman more transparent, said he has not spoken to Mr Sharp following his resignation.

Mr Sunak, who is in Glasgow for the Scottish Conservative conference, said: “I haven’t seen the report but I understand he tendered his resignation to the Secretary of State and she has accepted it.”

The report was ordered after it emerged that Mr Sharp played a role in facilitating a loan guarantee from Canadian millionaire Sam Blyth to Mr Johnson before being recommended for the influential role overseeing the public broadcaster’s independence.

Mr Sharp confirmed he had introduced his friend Mr Blyth to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case in late 2020 during a grilling in front of MPs earlier this year. He had previously said Mr Blyth had told him he wanted to provide financial assistance to Mr Johnson after reading about the then-PM’s money troubles.

Mr Heppinstall said Mr Sharp had been appointed after “a good and thorough process” which had seen government officials ask all “candidates to declare any potential conflicts of interest in their application and at interview”.

But he added: “The successful candidate, Mr Richard Sharp, failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest to the panel which interviewed candidates and advised ministers on who to appoint.”

The lawyer said that while he could “not judge his independence in office” Mr Sharp’s actions had led to “a breach of the governance code because the panel was unable at the time to advise ministers on these matters”. He also said Mr Sharp’s failure to tell the panel he had spoken to Mr Johnson about his application for the BBC role “does amount to a failure to disclose a potential perceived conflict of interest”.

He added: “Whilst it might have been appropriate for Mr Sharp to inform his ‘boss’ of his application particularly in light of Mr Sharp’s work at a time of national emergency, it was also appropriate for him to have informed the panel of the conversation.”

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she “respected” Mr Sharp’s decision to stand down. In a letter to him, she praised his commitment to public service, adding: “I especially applaud the work you did during the pandemic.”

Opposition parties condemned the report findings. Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s shadow culture secretary, said: “Mr Sharp breached the rules expected of candidates by failing to disclose his involvement in a personal loan to the then PM. As a result, this breach has caused untold damage to the reputation of the BBC and seriously undermined its independence as a result of the Conservatives’ sleaze and cronyism.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump administration moves to BAN essentially ALL artificial food dyes in the USA food supply at RFK Jr.'s direction
Woman slaps man at sports game and gets herself and husband beat up
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Nightlife in the streets of Manchester
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
The Empire’s USD Pyramid Scheme Is Working Brilliantly—So Why ‘Fix’ It?
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
×