Richard Sharp was appointed as Director General of the BBC (The Chairman, in business speak) in 2021. He has been mired in controversy ever since. A recent decision resulted in the high profile standing-down by the BBC of Gary Lineker, and a hasty and somewhat fudged reinstatement of the football commentator.
Mr Sharp’s resignation today followed the criticisms in the findings of an independent enquiry.
At the heart of the matter is the enthusiasm for the appointment of Mr Sharp by the Government of the day led by Boris Johnson, He was named as the government's preferred candidate through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport' (DCMS), the customary process (give or take the increasingly clumsy name acquired by the Department).
The Govt’s enthusiasm for Richard Sharp was matched by Mr Sharp’s enthusiasm for his old friend Mr Johnson. He was aware of the PM’s need to supplement his salary now that his earnings had plummeted but his requirements had increased.
Sharp knew another business friend Sam Blyth with interests in helping Johnson out financially to the tune of £800,000. Aware of the dangers of actions considered improper or heaven forbid illegal he consulted with the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case on how to keep the arrangement squeaky clean.
Unfortunately, the time period coincided with the appointment interview for the new Director General of the BBC. The arrangement became increasingly squeaky but not exactly clean. A case of Sharp practice you might say.
A parliamentary investigation concluded
"Mr Sharp's failure to disclose his actions to the panel and the committee, although he believed this to be completely proper, constitute a breach of the standards expected of individuals applying for such public appointments.”
An independent enquiry was set up, led by the lawyer Adam Heppingstall. The report was expected in late April 2023 ...
