BBC Chairman Richard Sharp announced his resignation following controversy about role in arranging loan for Ex-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson.
BBC Chairman resigned over involvement in securing a private credit line for up to USD 990,000 for the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson from a Canadian businessman.
An independent report probing the allegations detected that Sharp breached regulations for public appointments in relation to a loan for then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
BBC Chairman said he had agreed to a request to stay on until the end of June to give the government time to find his successor. He also mentioned he was resigned to “prioritize the interests of the BBC" after making an “inadvertent" breach of the rules.
The process by which Sharp was selected by the government to lead the broadcaster in 2021 is currently being looked into by the nation's public appointments watchdog. Despite the fact that he did fail to disclose a potential conflict of interest, the report found that this did not necessarily invalidate his appointment, even though he did violate the government's code for public appointments.
However, Sharp claimed that serving out the remainder of his four-year term would detract from the broadcaster's "good work". In a statement, Sharp stated, "I have determined that it is appropriate to prioritise the interests of the BBC." "I have therefore, this morning, resigned as the BBC chair to the Secretary of State and to the board."
What is the Boris Johnson-Richard Sharp controversy about?: The rich Canadian businessman Sam Blyth, who was introduced to Johnson by Conservative Party supporter Sharp, provided the 800,000 pound ($1 million) line of credit. Johnson served as both the party's leader and the country's prime minister.
