BBC Chairman Richard Sharp has announced his resignation following a report that found he breached rules when failing to declare his involvement in an £800,000 loan to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The investigation, conducted by barrister Adam Heppinstall KC, discovered that Mr. Sharp broke the code on public appointments by not informing the committee that interviewed him about this potential perceived conflict of interest.
In response to the findings, Mr. Sharp stated: "I feel that this matter would be a distraction from the BBC's good work if I were to remain in post until the end of my term." The BBC board has issued a statement saying they accept and understand Richard's decision to stand down.
The probe into Mr. Sharp's actions revealed he failed to disclose information during his application for the position as chairman at the BBC. Despite acknowledging his breach of rules, Mr. Sharp maintained that such breaches do not necessarily invalidate an appointment.
"The Secretary of State has consulted with the BBC Board who support my decision to resign," said Mr. Sharp.
In order to avoid causing further complications for Chancellor Rishi Sunak – who previously worked under Mr. Sharp at Goldman Sachs – the embattled chairman will officially step down from his role in June 2022.
The incident involving then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson occurred in 2021 when Conservative Party donor DavidSharp helped arrange a loan for Johnson amidst growing pressure on both parties' credibility and financial transparency standards within government institutions like the BBC.
By choosing resignation over prolonging any controversy or potential dismissal by authorities, it appears Mr.Sharp is attempting “to prioritize_the interests_of_the_BBC” while acknowledging and taking responsibility for what Heppinstall described as an "inadvertent" breach_of_rules pertaining_to_public_appointments."
Senior lawyer Adam Heppinstall’s full report on this case is scheduled to be published on Friday, shedding more light on the details and implications of Mr. Sharp's breach of rules in his public appointment at the BBC.