Investigation launched into BBC chief’s appointment after Boris Johnson’s claim for loan | Politics news

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An investigation will be opened into the BBC chief’s appointment after reports he helped Boris Johnson secure a loan.

William Shawcross, the public appointments commissioner, said he would review the competition that led to the appointment of Richard Sharpe when Johnson was prime minister.

The announcement was made in response to a request from Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell.

He said: “The role of the commissioner is to oversee the process of public appointments and ensure that appointments are made fairly, publicly and on the basis of merit.

“I intend to review this competition to assure myself and the public that the process was conducted in accordance with the Government’s Code of Governance for Public Appointments.”

The Sunday Times reported that Mr Sharpe was involved in arranging a guarantor on a loan of up to £800,000 for Johnson in late 2020, and that the then prime minister had gone on to recommend him for the BBC’s top job.

The government’s payroll manager, Jeremy Quinn, told the House of Commons on Monday that Sharpe had gone through an “incredibly robust process” by an independent panel prior to his appointment and was “absolutely confident” that the “usual process” would be followed.

But SNP’s John Nicholson, who sat on the culture selection committee on which Mr Sharpe appeared, said it was “a bit of a banana republic” after he said they had “questioned him about his gift of £400,000 to the Tory party”.

“However, he has not disclosed his role in obtaining a huge loan from the man he appoints,” Nicholson told the House of Commons.

Earlier on Monday, the chairman asked the BBC to review any potential conflicts of interest he may currently have to ensure “all appropriate guidelines” have been followed since joining the broadcaster.

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“We have many challenges at the BBC and I know that distractions like this are not welcome,” he said in a statement read out on BBC News.

The review will not look at his links to Johnson’s loan, but in a letter to BBC staff, Sharpe clarified some details surrounding the Sunday Times report.

He confirmed that he introduced Canadian billionaire businessman Sam Blyth to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case “as Sam wanted to support Boris Johnson”.

He said “I was not involved in providing a loan or arranging security, nor did I arrange any financing. What I did was endeavor to introduce Sam Blyth to the relevant official in the government.”

“Sam Blythe, whom I’ve known for over forty years, lives in London and after becoming aware of the financial pressures on the then prime minister, and being a successful entrepreneur, told me he wanted to explore if he could help.”

Mr. Blythe is a distant cousin of Johnson’s.

timetable

November 2020: According to the Sunday Times, Canadian millionaire Sam Blyth first proposed the loan guarantee during a dinner with Richard Sharp.

Early December 2020: In early December, Richard Sharpe put Sam Blyth in contact with the Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case.

Late 2020: Before the year is out, Richard Sharpe and Sam Blythe meet Boris Johnson for dinner at his country residence, Checkers. They insist not to discuss the prime minister’s financial affairs.

January 2021: At the start of January, the government announces that Richard Sharpe is the preferred candidate for the post of BBC President.

The statement was issued moments after Mr Johnson said Mr Sharp “knew absolutely nothing about my personal finances”.

Speaking to Sky News he said: “This is a load of utter nonsense – utter nonsense.

“Let me just tell you, Richard Sharp is a great and wise man but he knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances – I can tell you he is 100% sure.

“This is just another example of the BBC missing its basics.”

The BBC reported that Mr Sharpe “agreed with the board’s senior independent director” that the Nominations Committee would look at conflicts of interest when it next met and “in the interest of transparency publish the findings”.

Ms Powell said an independent inquiry into the recruitment process was also needed to “satisfy the public and Parliament as to its fairness”.

Opening an inquiry, the commissioner said: “The BBC’s No 10 and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport clearly have questions to answer.

“This investigation is welcome news and should shed light on this appointments process and provide reassurance to the public.”

The party also reported Mr Johnson to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, saying the former prime minister’s finances were “drawing the Conservative Party into another quagmire of corruption”.

The Cabinet Office insisted that Mr Sharp be appointed “after a rigorous appointment process”.

That included assessment by a panel of experts and “additional pre-appointment screening by the House of Commons Select Committee”, according to a statement released yesterday.

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