BBC Chair Richard Sharp made ‘significant errors of judgement’
when failing to declare his role in the facilitation of a loan to
the then Prime Minister and should reflect on the
potential damage caused to trust in the corporation.
The conclusion from the DCMS Committee comes following
the hearing held with Mr Sharp
on Tuesday. In a report published today, the Committee says
that his omissions denied MPs the opportunity to fulfil their
scrutiny role, as they were left without the full facts to make a
judgement on his suitability when he appeared before the
Committee for a pre-appointment hearing in
January 2021. The report calls it ‘highly unsatisfactory’
that the Committee’s subsequent
approval of his appointment has been cited by the
Government as a defence that the process was properly followed.
The report calls on Mr Sharp to now consider the impact his
actions will have on the trust in him, the BBC and the public
appointment process and for the Government and all those involved
to ensure future processes are not clouded by partial disclosure.
The Committee also notes that the issue of why the Cabinet
Secretary believed Mr Sharp had been giving financial advice to
Mr Johnson, which Mr Sharp denies, remains unresolved. The
Cabinet Office should clear up the confusion immediately.
Chair's comment
Digital Culture Media and Sports Committee Acting Chair, MP, said:
“The public appointments process can only work effectively if
everyone is open and transparent, yet Richard Sharp chose not to
tell either the appointment panel or our Committee about his
involvement in the facilitation of a loan to . Such a significant error of
judgment meant we were not in the full possession of the facts
when we were required to rule on his suitability for the role of
BBC Chair.”
