What did Richard Sharp do?

Richard Sharp who served as the Chairperson of BBC from February 2021 has announced his resignation after his ‘secret’ financial involvement with former British PM, Boris Johnson came to light.

An investigation done by Barrister Adam Heppinstall KC looked into matters regarding Mr. Sharp’s appointment as Chair in an 800K GBP loan guarantee to the former Prime Minister.

It was reported that he created “the appearance of a conflict of interest by not fully disclosing his knowledge” of offering monetary help to Mr. Johnson.

“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 very clearly 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,” Sharp said in an official statement.

According to reports, Sharp also arranged a meeting between Secretary Simon Case and Mr. Johnson’s cousin, Sam Blyth, who had offered financial assistance to Johnson earlier.

“When I sought in December 2020 to introduce the cabinet secretary to Mr. 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,” Sharp shared in a statement.