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Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson - Foreign Affairs - Nairaland

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Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by HonNL: 1:03pm On Apr 28, 2023
Richard Sharp has resigned as chairman of the BBC after a report found he broke the rules by failing to disclose the role he played in helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan.

Adam Heppinstall KC's review found the former Conservative donor twice breached the code governing public appointments, risking the perception he was not independent from the then-prime minister.

Mr Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker, has spared forcing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to decide on his fate by announcing he will stand down from the influential role overseeing the public broadcaster's independence at the end of June.

Following the publication of the report, Mr Sunak said he has not seen the report or spoken to Mr Sharp following his resignation.

The prime minister also told journalists: "When concerns are raised, it is right there is a proper process, an independent process that we don't prejudge, we allow it to carry on, establish the facts of what happened, reach a conclusion.

"That has happened, Richard Sharp has resigned. But it is right that we do these things properly and professionally, I think most people will think that is the right thing to do."

Asked if Mr Sharp's replacement should be a non-political appointment, Mr Sunak said he was "focused on delivering for the British people".

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson remained tight-lipped when asked about Mr Sharp as he left his home this morning prior to the release of the report.

In his resignation statement, Mr Sharp insisted that his breach of the rules was "inadvertent and not material".

"Nevertheless, I have decided that it is right to prioritise the interests of the BBC," he added.

"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."

Mr Sharp has said he will stay on until a replacement is found.

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

The BBC Board said this morning: "We accept and understand Richard's decision to stand down."

BBC director-general Tim Davie thanked Mr Sharp for his service and "the drive and intellect he brought to his time as chairman".

Mr Sharp had been caught up in a row over his appointment into the role at the BBC since January, when it emerged he helped facilitate an £800,000 loan guarantee for Boris Johnson - just weeks before the former prime minister appointed him.

He had introduced his friend Sam Blyth, a distant cousin of Mr Johnson who wanted to help him with his financial troubles, to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case ahead of being recommended for the BBC role by the government.

An investigation into Mr Sharp's appointment by the commissioner for public appointments was announced in January only for the commissioner, William Shawcross, to recuse himself from the process due to "contact" between himself and the BBC chairman.

Mr Heppinstall KC took over the probe.

This investigation was published this morning by the commissioner for public appointments.

It outlined how Mr Sharp told Mr Johnson he wanted to apply for the BBC chairman role in November 2020.

And it considered how he met Mr Case the following month regarding the introduction to Mr Blyth over the then-prime minister's financial affairs.

Mr Sharp "failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest to the panel which interviewed candidates and advised ministers", the barrister ruled.

All of these issues were not divulged to the government when applicants for the BBC chair role were asked to disclose potential conflicts of interests.

This "gave rise to a potential perceived conflict of interest" on two issues, the report found:

1) Mr Sharp's conversation with Mr Johnson before the application that he wanted to apply;

2) Mr Sharp telling Mr Johnson that he was going to help with his personal finances.

It was concluded that these not being disclosed to the panel selecting him meant Mr Sharp breached the code.

The inquiry found it could be perceived that Mr Sharp was given the job because he helped the prime minister with a financial matter, and he may not be independent of Number 10.

Mr Sharp said he "wished" he had told the panel about the potential perceived conflicts of interest - although according to the report, he disagreed with the finding that "point 1" led to a conflict of interest.

The report also found that Number 10's support for Mr Sharp was relayed to the government department dealing with the appointments process.

Mr Sunak - who used to work for Mr Sharp at Goldman Sachs - previously declined to respond to questions about their relationship or Mr Sharp's integrity.

He told 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."

Labour said the saga has caused "untold damage" to the reputation of the BBC and "seriously undermined its independence as a result of the Conservatives' sleaze and cronyism".

In a letter to Mr Sharp, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer thanked him for his work, and noted that he is "held in high regard by the BBC board".

She accepted that Mr Sharp will stay in place until the next BBC board meeting on 27 June this year.

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 government's immigration policy.

Critics questioned Mr Sharp's impartiality in the context of the row about Lineker's views.

Following the release of the report this morning Lineker tweeted: "The BBC chairman should not be selected by the government of the day.

"Not now, not ever."

SOURCE

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Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Ogiame: 1:05pm On Apr 28, 2023
A Sharp thief.
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by KingSatan: 1:56pm On Apr 28, 2023
This is a lesson to "Japarians"

Nigeria isn't the only corrupt country. Even those who tag us as fantastically corrupt, are wicked and extremely corrupt.

22 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Toredola: 1:57pm On Apr 28, 2023
Thieves everywhere.
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Grandkay21(m): 1:58pm On Apr 28, 2023
If this happens in Nigeria they will even promote Mr Sharp sef

7 Likes

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by seunayantokun(m): 1:59pm On Apr 28, 2023
Sharp practices.

2 Likes

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by SultanOfAbia: 1:59pm On Apr 28, 2023
White people were created differently by God
I don't know who created us Africans
I doubt if God created Africans

When I look at how people openly urinate outside, throw dirty on floor.
They way we carry church for head yet we are the most hypocrital tribalism corrupt set of people.

The whites have their faults too
But Africans are just way too backwards

If you see the way white people truly see Africans you go shock.
THEY SEE US AS VERY INFERIOR

if you look around, u will know they are saying the truth.

9 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by HydraFeeds(m): 2:00pm On Apr 28, 2023
Grandkay21:
If this happens in Nigeria they will even promote Mr Sharp sef
there’s one journalist that broke traffic rule and threatened the officials with call from Mr governor. This same journalist has been criticizing the government for corrupt practices.

What’s my point ? He should resign from his post so as to set example of how it’s done in other climes .

Most Nigerians are complicit in one corrupt practice or the other ,they only wail when the corruption is not in their favour .

Change begins with each of us .

10 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by DeLaRue: 2:02pm On Apr 28, 2023
Why is this news relevant to Nigeria.

We hear absolutely nothing about interesting countries in our region like Ivory Coast and Senegal, or even Ghana and others, yet you guys are fixated with meaningless news from a far away whose people don't care a zilch about you

Please report news from our neighbours.

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by yaki84: 2:03pm On Apr 28, 2023
In Nigeria, the more connected u r to the govt the better.

Infact in nigeria, this isnt a crime at all...

2 Likes

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by seguno2: 2:03pm On Apr 28, 2023
Ogiame:
A Sharp thief.

What did he steal?

If he was sharp, why would he be caught

1 Like

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by vickthourh(m): 2:04pm On Apr 28, 2023
Ok
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by seguno2: 2:04pm On Apr 28, 2023
yaki84:
In Nigeria, the more connected u r to the govt the better.

Infact in nigeria, this isnt a crime at all...

Unfortunately for us.

Is that why many of us are doing japa to the UK

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by BarrElChapo(m): 2:05pm On Apr 28, 2023
KingSatan:
This is a lesson to "Japarians"

Nigeria isn't the only corrupt country. Even those who tag us as fantastically corrupt, are wicked and extremely corrupt.

Read to understand

5 Likes

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Krublog(m): 2:05pm On Apr 28, 2023
KingSatan:
This is a lesson to "Japarians"

Nigeria isn't the only corrupt country. Even those who tag us as fantastically corrupt, are wicked and extremely corrupt.

Stop making a fool of yourself please!!!

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by BarrElChapo(m): 2:05pm On Apr 28, 2023
Ogiame:
A Sharp thief.

Read to understand

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by seguno2: 2:06pm On Apr 28, 2023
DeLaRue:
Why is this news relevant to Nigeria.

We hear absolutely nothing about interesting countries in our region like Ivory Coast and Senegal, or even Ghana and others, yet you guys are fixated with meaningless news from a far away whose people don't care a zilch about you

Please report news from our neighbours.

Please who is stopping you from doing what you want, as described above
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by seguno2: 2:07pm On Apr 28, 2023
SultanOfAbia:
White people were created differently by God
I don't know who created us Africans
I doubt if God created Africans

When I look at how people openly urinate outside, throw dirty on floor.
They way we carry church for head yet we are the most hypocrital tribalism corrupt set of people.

The whites have their faults too
But Africans are just way too backwards

If you see the way white people truly see Africans you go shock.
THEY SEE US AS VERY INFERIOR

if you look around, u will know they are saying the truth.

We are created equal, but have evolved differently.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Miracle45: 2:08pm On Apr 28, 2023
BBC has never been independent. They are the most biased corporate media in the entire world. Everyone knows this except the already brain washed Westerners and western sympathizers.

1 Like

Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by baralatie(m): 2:08pm On Apr 28, 2023
Bo is Johnson again
But the problem is not declaring about the loan
An unnecessary error of judgement
But
Why the hassle
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by abobote: 2:09pm On Apr 28, 2023
And here, the man everything about him from birth is shady still went ahead to contest for the highest office in the land, and still corrupt the system the more.

Nigeria will never get there
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by ayenale1(m): 2:11pm On Apr 28, 2023
In a country that I know...he will even tell reps that the allegations are baseless.....
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by baralatie(m): 2:11pm On Apr 28, 2023
More like boardroom politics to remove him from the seat
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by batistutajulio: 2:14pm On Apr 28, 2023
KingSatan:
This is a lesson to "Japarians"

Nigeria isn't the only corrupt country. Even those who tag us as fantastically corrupt, are wicked and extremely corrupt.

You're cursed.
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by ZenithDt22: 2:16pm On Apr 28, 2023
Nice
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Kobicove(m): 2:39pm On Apr 28, 2023
What he did is essentially influence peddling which is viewed as a moral infraction in the western world, however here in Nigeria it's a part of life and people do not see anything wrong in doing it
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Kobicove(m): 2:40pm On Apr 28, 2023
Ogiame:
A Sharp thief.

You just rushed to be first to comment and typed nonsense! undecided
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by ArcFresky(m): 2:42pm On Apr 28, 2023
SultanOfAbia:
White people were created differently by God
I don't know who created us Africans
I doubt if God created Africans

When I look at how people openly urinate outside, throw dirty on floor.
They way we carry church for head yet we are the most hypocrital tribalism corrupt set of people.

The whites have their faults too
But Africans are just way too backwards

If you see the way white people truly see Africans you go shock.
THEY SEE US AS VERY INFERIOR

if you look around, u will know they are saying the truth.

Someone once said,
If the white and black slavery roles were reversed, white people would still be slaves.
Re: Richard Sharp Resigns After Facilitating A Personal Loan Deal With Boris Johnson by Focusmind: 3:01pm On Apr 28, 2023
KingSatan:
This is a lesson to "Japarians"

Nigeria isn't the only corrupt country. Even those who tag us as fantastically corrupt, are wicked and extremely corrupt.

But their systems have ways of checkmating those corrupt people and bringing them to book. You can't compare our own corruption to theirs. What is £800k to a typical Nigerian politician??

See Boris Johnson, a whole UK Prime minister requiring someone's influence to get a mere £800k loan. Loan o, not free money. This is money someone like Wike could easily give to his paddy paddy.

1 Like

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