Friday, May 24

BBC chairman Richard Sharp resigns

Richard Sharp has resigned as chairman of the BBC within the wake of a report into his appointment following a cronyism row.

Mr Sharp stated the report discovered he had breached the federal government’s code for the general public appointments however stated it was “inadvertent”.

The matter has been a “distraction” for the BBC and he has subsequently this morning resigned because the BBC chair.

He stated he’ll keep on till a alternative is discovered.

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“To chair this incredible organisation has been an honour,” he added.

He had been caught up in a row over his appointment into the position on the BBC since January, when he was reported to have helped facilitate an £800,000 mortgage assure for Boris Johnson – simply weeks earlier than the previous prime minister appointed Mr Sharp.

This investigation was printed this morning by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

An investigation into Mr Sharp’s appointment by the commissioner for public appointments was introduced the identical month, just for the commissioner, William Shawcross, to recuse himself from the method attributable to “contact” between himself and the BBC chairman.

Barrister Adam Heppinstall KC took over the probe.

Rishi Sunak – who used to work for Mr Sharp at Goldman Sachs – beforehand declined to reply to questions on their relationship or Mr Sharp’s integrity.

He advised reporters: “Richard Sharp went through an independent appointments process at the time that I had nothing to do with – he was appointed before I was prime minister.

“But additionally the chair of public appointments has requested a number one KC to evaluation – to re-review – that appointments course of so there’s not a lot I can say extra that is ongoing, however it’s proper that course of concludes.”

Mr Sharp faced renewed scrutiny after the backlash against the BBC’s decision to take Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker off air for his tweets over the federal government’s immigration coverage. Critics questioned Mr Sharp’s impartiality, within the context of the row about Lineker’s views.

Content Source: information.sky.com