Richard Sharp‘s departure and the government’s role in selecting the BBC chairman have both been addressed by Gary Lineker.
The 62-year-old Match Of The Day host, who was fired by the network last month after sending out a tweet that prompted an argument about objectivity, has commented on Sharp’s dismissal.
He wrote on Twitter: “The current government should not choose the BBC chairman. Not now and never.
Following the row over the football pundit’s tweet, the BBC to launched an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.
Meanwhile, Lineker later returned to his Match Of The Day presenting role following a boycott in his defence by top on-air talent.
Sharp announced his resignation to ‘prioritise the interests’ of the BBC, while the former Goldman Sachs banker had faced accusations of arranging a loan of up to £800,000 for Boris Johnson before the then-prime minister backed him as the broadcaster’s boss.
He was announced as the government’s choice for the role in January 2021.
This morning, Adam Heppinstall KC’s 25-page report into the appointment of Mr Sharp as BBC Chairman found he ‘failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest’.
In response, Mr Sharp said he will remain in the role until the end of June while the search for a successor takes place.
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.’
A committee previously found that Sharp had made ‘significant errors of judgement’ and had not given the ‘full facts’ when applying for the job.
In a grilling by MPs, he had insisted his only role was as a ‘sort of introduction agency’ between his friend Sam Blyth – a Canadian businessman who is a distant cousin of Johnson – and the cabinet secretary Simon Case.
Labour had called for an investigation into Mr Sharp after allegations surfaced in The Sunday Times which claimed a dinner was held at Chequers before the loan was finalised.
To “prioritize the interests” of the broadcaster, Richard Sharp has resigned as chairman of the BBC.
Before the then-prime minister endorsed Boris Johnson for the position of head of the BBC, the former Goldman Sachs banker was accused of setting up a loan for him of up to £800,000.
In January 2021, he was declared the government’s choice for the chairman post.
According to the 25-page assessment by Adam Heppinstall KC on the selection of Mr. Sharp as BBC Chairman, he “failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest.”
In response, Mr Sharp said he will remain in the role until the end of June while the search for a successor takes place.
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.’
A screen showing a news report seen through the windows of the BBC in central London (Picture: PA)
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said that the BBC was being ‘dragged through the mud’ by the Conservatives.
Responding to Mr Sharp’s resignation, he said: ‘The British people won’t stand for any more of this.
‘Everything Conservative politicians touch turns into a mess. They are not fit to govern our great country.
‘Boris Johnson should never have been allowed to appoint Richard Sharp in the first place and what’s worse is Rishi Sunak didn’t show leadership by sacking him.’
Richard Sharp testified in front of a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this year (Picture: Getty Images)
Meanwhile Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, paid tribute to the outgoing chairman.
He said: ‘On behalf of the BBC Executive, I would like to thank Richard for his service to the BBC and the drive and intellect he brought to his time as chairman.
‘Working with him over the last two years has been rewarding and Richard has made a significant contribution to the transformation and success of the BBC.
‘The focus for all of us at the BBC is continuing the hard work to ensure we deliver for audiences, both now and in the future.’
Mr Sharp had made ‘significant errors of judgement’ and had not given the ‘full facts’ when applying for the BBC top job, a committee previously found.
A spokesperson for Boris Johnson dismissed the allegations as ‘rubbish’ (Picture: PA)
In a grilling by MPs, Mr Sharp insisted his only role was as a ‘sort of introduction agency’ between his friend Sam Blyth – a Canadian businessman who is a distant cousin of Johnson – and the cabinet secretary Simon Case.
Labour had called for an investigation into Mr Sharp after allegations surfaced in The Sunday Times.
According to the newspaper, a dinner was held at Chequers before the loan was finalised.
At the time, a spokesperson for Mr Johnson dismissed the Sunday Times report as ‘rubbish’ and insisted his financial arrangements ‘have been properly declared’.
‘Richard Sharp has never given any financial advice to Boris Johnson. He did indeed have dinner with Mr Sharp, whom he has known for almost 20 years, and with his cousin. So what? Big deal.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he has not seen the report into Richard Sharp, but was unable to guarantee a non-political figure would replace him.
Speaking to media at the Scottish Tory conference in Glasgow, Mr Sunak said: ‘There’s an appointments process that happens for those appointments. I’m not going to prejudge that.’
Gary Lineker also shared his views on Mr Sharp’s resignation.
The Match Of The Day host, 62, tweeted: ‘The BBC chairman should not be selected by the government of the day.
‘Not now, not ever.’
His comments come after he was taken off air by the broadcaster in March after posting a tweet which sparked an impartiality row prompting the BBC to launch an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.
He later returned to his Match Of The Day presenting role following a boycott by top on-air talent.
Earlier today, a Labour MP said Mr Sharp ‘will have to go’ if he found to have broken the code for public appointments by facilitating a loan for Mr Johnson.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh told Sky News: ‘If it is revealed that he has failed to declare the details of this loan arrangement properly or failed to be forthcoming in the process, then of course he will have to go.
‘I think his whole saga raises wider issues around the way that the Government has approached the BBC and the particular links of the Tory party with the BBC.’
The full resignation speech from Richard Sharp
Good morning.
I would like to thank Adam Heppinstall and his team for the diligence and professionalism they have shown in compiling today’s report.
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.
It was proposed to me that I stay on as Chair until the end of June while the process to appoint my successor is undertaken, and I will of course do that in the interests of the Corporation’s stability and continuity.
Let me turn to the events that are the subject of today’s report.
When I sought in December 2020 to introduce the Cabinet Secretary to Mr (Sam) Blyth I did so in good faith. I did so with the best of intentions.
And I did so with the sole purpose of ensuring that all relevant rules were being followed.
I am pleased that Mr Heppinstall supports the fact that my involvement in these matters was accordingly “very limited”.
He states that he is “happy to record” that he has seen no evidence – and nor could he – to say I played any part whatsoever in the facilitation, arrangement, or financing of a loan for the former Prime Minister.
During my conversation with the Cabinet Secretary on December 4, 2020, I reminded him of the fact that I was in the BBC appointments process.
I believed, as a result of that conversation, that I had been removed from any conflict or perception of conflict. I understood this recusal to be absolute.
This was my error. In my subsequent interview with the Appointments Panel I wish, with the benefit of hindsight, this potential perceived conflict of interest was something I had considered to mention.
I would like once again to apologise for that oversight – inadvertent though it was – and for the distraction these events have caused the BBC.
For more than twenty years I have devoted time and energy to public service, whether at the Institute for Cancer Research, at the Royal Academy of Arts, on the financial policy committee of the Bank of England, or as an economic advisor to the Treasury working to protect British business, including the creative industries, during the pandemic.
For more than two years I have seen the beating heart of the BBC up close. And for all its complexities, successes, and occasional failings, the BBC is an incredible, dynamic, and world beating creative force, unmatched anywhere.
As Chair I have acted at all times in the public interest, and for the betterment of the BBC. I am proud to have fought for the recent return of Government funding for the World Service. I have been active in commissioning independent thematic reviews of BBC coverage on touchstone issues.
And I have championed the importance of the BBC as a well-funded and impartial public service broadcaster.
To chair this incredible organisation has been an honour. The BBC’s contribution to our national life is immense, its people are hardworking and brilliant, and preserving and enhancing it matters.
In order to “prioritize the interests” of the broadcaster, Richard Sharp has resigned as chairman of the BBC.
The former Goldman Sachs banker has been accused of setting up a loan for Boris Johnson of up to £800,000 before the then-prime minister supported him for the BBC leadership position.
When applying for the top position at the BBC, Mr. Sharp made “significant errors of judgment” and failed to provide the “full facts,” a committee previously concluded.
He was announced as the government’s choice for the chairman role in January 2021.
Mr Sharp said he will remain in the role until the end of June while the search for a successor takes place.
A spokesperson for Boris Johnson dismissed the allegations as ‘rubbish’ (Picture: PA)Richard Sharp testified in front of a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this year (Picture: Getty Images)
In a grilling by MPs, Mr Sharp insisted his only role was as a ‘sort of introduction agency’ between his friend Sam Blyth – a Canadian businessman who is a distant cousin of Johnson – and the cabinet secretary Simon Case.
Labour had called for an investigation into Mr Sharp after allegations surfaced in The Sunday Times.
According to the newspaper, a dinner was held at Chequers before the loan was finalised.
At the time, a spokesperson for Mr Johnson dismissed the Sunday Times report as ‘rubbish’ and insisted his financial arrangements ‘have been properly declared’.
‘Richard Sharp has never given any financial advice to Boris Johnson. He did indeed have dinner with Mr Sharp, whom he has known for almost 20 years, and with his cousin. So what? Big deal.’
Earlier today, a Labour MP said Mr Sharp ‘will have to go’ if he found to have broken the code for public appointments by facilitating a loan for Mr Johnson.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh told Sky News: ‘If it is revealed that he has failed to declare the details of this loan arrangement properly or failed to be forthcoming in the process, then of course he will have to go.’
Ms Haigh said an independent panel to look into the issue of public appointments has been established in the opposition.
She added: ‘It’s been really concerning to see how the Government has sat back and done very little about the potential breaches in the process, and did nothing to help restore trust and faith in the impartiality of the BBC.
‘I think his whole saga raises wider issues around the way that the Government has approached the BBC and the particular links of the Tory party with the BBC.’
After learning that Richard Sharp had made “significant errors of judgement” in assisting former primeminister Boris Johnson in obtaining a loan for almost $1 million, the opposition Labour Party demanded his resignation.
After it was determined that he had violated ethical standards regarding the Boris Johnson loan scandal, the chairman of the BBC, the country’s major public broadcaster, came under pressure to resign on Sunday.
The failure of Richard Sharp to disclose that he had acted as a go-between to help the former UK prime minister obtain an 800,000 pound loan resulted in “significant errors of judgement,” according to a committee of UK lawmakers.
Sharp was appointed to lead the BBC shortly after the loan was arranged.
The cross-party Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee said Sharp’s actions “constitute a breach of the standards expected of individuals” applying for prominent public appointments.
“The public appointment process can only work effectively if everyone is open and transparent, yet Richard Sharp chose not to tell either the appointment panel or our committee about his involvement in the facilitation of a loan to Boris Johnson,” said the committee’s acting chair, Damian Green.
The chair of the BBC is appointed based on the recommendation of the government of the day.
Parliamentary committee kept in the dark
Green added that the lack of transparency meant “we were not in the full possession of the facts when we were required to rule on his suitability for the role of BBC chair.”
Without formally calling for his resignation, the committee said Sharp should “consider the impact his omissions will have”on trust in the public broadcaster.
Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker, has admitted that he introduced Sam Blyth, an old friend who wanted to help Johnson, to a government official in late 2020. He said his involvement went no further.
Blyth, who is a distant cousin of Johnson, went on to make the loan to the former prime minister, UK media reported.
Sharp appeared before the committee on Tuesday and reiterated that he was not involved in making a loan or in arranging a guarantee or any financing.
He said after seeking an introduction for Blyth, he had agreed with a senior government official to have nothing more to do with the matter to avoid any conflict of interest.
“Mr. Sharp appreciates that there was information that the committee felt that it should have been made aware of in his pre-appointment hearing,” a spokesperson for Sharp said. “He regrets this and apologizes.”
Sharp also apologized again to the broadcaster’s staff for the distraction caused to the BBC.
Opposition says Sharp’s position ‘untenable’
Lisa Nandy, a shadow minister from the opposition Labour Party said Sharp’s position was “increasingly untenable.”
“I think it’s difficult to see how Richard Sharp could possibly stay in the position that he’s in, given the far-reaching implications for the reputation of the BBC and the implications for trust in journalism,” she told Sky News.
Andrew Mitchell, a minister from the ruling Conservative government said it was up to the broadcaster to decide Sharp’s future.
“I think Damian Green is a very senior member of the House of Commons and what he and his committee says matters,” Mitchell told the BBC.
“But I think, as I say, this is really something which the public appointments commissioner must look at and we must wait for his judgment. And above all, of course, it’s a matter for the judgment of the BBC.”
Britain’s public appointments watchdog is also reviewing Sharp’s appointment.
The chair is responsible for maintaining the independence of the BBC. He also appoints the director general and acts as the corporation’s most senior representative to parliament and the government.
Sharp was named as the preferred candidate for the job in January 2021.
