Current:Home > MarketsBBC chair quits over links to loans for Boris Johnson — the man who appointed him-LoTradeCoin
BBC chair quits over links to loans for Boris Johnson — the man who appointed him
View Date:2024-12-24 09:51:28
LONDON – The head of the BBC has resigned over his failure to disclose an alleged financial favor he did two years ago for then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson – the man who appointed him.
Scandals involving Johnson's turbulent time in office continue to plague the UK's ruling Conservative Party and British institutions. And this one comes at a time when many media outlets – especially those that receive public funding, as the British Broadcasting Corporation does – are struggling to prove their editorial independence at a time of heightened political disinformation.
BBC Chairman Richard Sharp is a former investment banker and longtime donor to the Conservative Party. He was nominated to the BBC's top job in early 2021 by Johnson, who is also a friend.
At the time, Sharp failed to disclose how he'd helped arrange a meeting for another friend – a distant cousin of Johnson's – to offer a $1 million loan to the prime minister.
After the Times of London revealed this potential conflict of interest this past January, the government opened an investigation. On Friday, it published its report, concluding that Sharp had indeed breached rules.
"There is a risk of a perception that Mr. Sharp was recommended for appointment because he assisted... the former prime minister in a private financial matter," the report says.
Minutes later, Sharp resigned.
He says the conflict of interest was "inadvertent" and unintentional and should not "invalidate" his appointment to the BBC. In a statement, he apologized but said he was nevertheless resigning to "prioritize the interests of the BBC."
"I have championed the importance of the BBC as a well-funded and impartial public service broadcaster," Sharp said.
He says he'll stay on through June, to allow the government time to find a successor.
Sharp is the latest in a long line of British public figures brought down by dealings with Johnson – who himself was forced to resign from office last year amid scandals over money, ethics and illegal parties during COVID lockdown.
Meanwhile, the BBC is struggling financially. The government has frozen its budget for the next two years, and is changing the way the institution is funded.
In recent years, it's faced allegations of improperly close ties to the Conservative Party, which controls the UK government and the BBC budget.
Sharp is a former mentor of the current Conservative prime minister, Rishi Sunak, dating back to their days together at Goldman Sachs.
His resignation saves Sunak from possibly having to fire him.
veryGood! (1449)
Related
- Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- Remains found of Colorado woman Suzanne Morphew, who went missing on Mother’s Day 2020
- Film academy to replace Hattie McDaniel's historic missing Oscar at Howard University
- Taylor Swift attends Kansas City Chiefs game, boosting sales of Travis Kelce jerseys 400%
- Maine elections chief who drew Trump’s ire narrates House tabulations in livestream
- Gymnastics Ireland issues ‘unreserved’ apology for Black gymnast medal snub
- Michigan judges ordered to honor pronouns of parties in court
- US allows Israeli citizens to travel to US visa-free as Israel joins a select group of countries
- Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
- This Powerball number hasn't been called in over 100 games. Should you play it or avoid it?
Ranking
- Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion
- Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gives Vermont housing trust $20M, largest donation in its history
- Lou Holtz stands by Ohio State comments after Ryan Day called him out: 'I don't feel bad'
- Rhode Island community bank to pay $9M to resolve discriminatory lending allegations
- Rare Alo Yoga Flash Sale: Don’t Miss 60% Off Deals With Styles as Low as $5
- Man serving sentence for attacking parents fails to return to halfway house and considered escapee
- Nebraska latest Republican state to expand Medicaid to cover postpartum care for low-income mothers
- New York bans facial recognition in schools after report finds risks outweigh potential benefits
Recommendation
-
Man killed by police in Minnesota was being sought in death of his pregnant wife
-
Tech CEO Pava LaPere Found Dead at 26: Warrant Issued for Suspect's Arrest
-
Pennsylvania state trooper lied to force ex-girlfriend into psych hospital for 5 days, DA says
-
Michigan State fires coach Mel Tucker for bringing ridicule to school, breaching his contract
-
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
-
Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Premiere: Find Out Who Was Eliminated
-
US allows Israeli citizens to travel to US visa-free as Israel joins a select group of countries
-
Wael Hana, co-defendant in Robert Menendez case, arrested at JFK