Richard Sharp, chairman of the BBC, resigned on Friday, April 28, after an independent inquiry revealed he had broken government guidelines by failing to disclose his involvement in assisting former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to acquire a personal loan.
Under Scrutiny
Before Sharp's appointment in 2021, Sharp was essential in introducing Johnson to a rich benefactor who provided Johnson with a loan guarantee of up to £800,000 (or about $996,000), as The Washington Post reported.
Critics say that by introducing a potential benefactor for Johnson prior to his appointment as chair of the BBC, Sharp tainted the reputation of the UK's national broadcaster and one of the world's premier news organizations.
Sharp is a former Goldman Sachs banker who now provides substantial funding to the Conservative Party. In the past, he had simply refused to quit and had vigorously denied any misconduct. He reportedly claimed that he had made an honest mistake by not disclosing his involvement in the transaction.
Sharp asserts he only got Sam Blyth, a Canadian business entrepreneur and distant relative of Johnson, in contact with Simon Case, the cabinet secretary and senior civil officer.
Sharp remarked in a statement on Friday, "I wish, with the benefit of hindsight, this potential perceived conflict of interest was something I had considered to mention." He also apologized for the mistake and for the disruption these events brought about at the BBC.
In addition, Sharp emphasized that the barrister Adam Heppinstall's independent inquiry into the case determined that his participation in the transaction was "very limited." In a report by The Guardian, he said there was no indication that he "played any part whatsoever in the facilitation, arrangement, or financing of a loan for the former Prime Minister."
Sharp will continue to serve as BBC chairman until a new leader is elected in June.
'Untold Damage'
The damage, according to critics, was significant.
Michelle Stanistreet, national secretary of the National Union of Journalists, stated, "[Sharp] has shamefully clung to his position as chair for months, whilst all around him could clearly see his time was up." She added that Sharp's resignation is a relief and appropriate.
For Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, the BBC has been "dragged through the mud" by this scandal. "The British people won't stand for any more of this. Everything Conservative politicians touch turns into a mess."
Davey said that Johnson should not have been given the authority to hire Sharp and that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should have fired him months ago.
Lucy Powell, leader of the opposition Labour Party, claimed that the Conservatives' sleaze and cronyism had resulted in a breach that had done "untold damage" to the BBC's image and badly compromised its independence.
