Richard Sharp, chairman of the BBC, has resigned after a report found he had breached rules on public appointments. The report found that Sharp had failed to disclose his role in helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan when Johnson was still prime minister.
Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker, was appointed chairman of the BBC in 2020. He was a controversial appointment, given his close ties to the Conservative Party. However, he was praised for his work in helping the BBC to weather the financial storm of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report into Sharp’s appointment was commissioned by the BBC Trust, the broadcaster’s governing body. It found that Sharp had failed to disclose his role in helping Johnson secure the loan from a wealthy Conservative donor. The report also found that Sharp had tried to secure a high-level government meeting for the donor.
Sharp has apologized for his actions and said that he did not want to be a distraction for the BBC. He will remain in his role until the end of June.
The resignation of Sharp is a major blow to the BBC. He was a respected figure in the business world and his departure will be seen as a loss for the broadcaster. It also raises questions about the independence of the BBC, given Sharp’s close ties to the Conservative Party.
The BBC is facing a number of challenges, including declining audiences and rising costs. The resignation of Sharp will make it even more difficult for the broadcaster to navigate these challenges.
