According to a leaked Cabinet Office memo, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was advised to stop seeking financial advice from Richard Sharp, who was due to be announced as the new BBC chairman, just days before Sharp’s appointment. The memo, issued by top civil servant Simon Case, stated that it was “important that you no longer ask his advice about your personal financial matters” due to the imminent announcement of Sharp’s appointment as BBC chair.
The revelation comes as Sharp is facing calls to stand down as BBC chairman amid allegations that he had introduced Sam Blyth, a distant cousin of Johnson, to Case to discuss Blyth acting as a guarantor for a loan facility for the prime minister. Sharp has maintained that he will remain in his role, with the BBC chairman due to be grilled by MPs next month on the controversy.
A spokesperson for Johnson denied that Sharp had given him financial advice or that Johnson had sought such advice from him. The spokesperson also claimed that Johnson was unaware that Blyth was being considered for any role at the British Council and did not have any discussions with Blyth or anyone else about such a role.
However, the Sunday Times reports that Johnson secured an £800,000 loan from Blyth in February 2021, and that he had sought out financial advice from Sharp and other individuals around the time of the loan. The loan, which was not disclosed at the time, has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential for Favours to be granted in exchange for the loan.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Via Boris Johnson/Twitter)
Public appointments commissioner William Shawcross has announced an investigation into Sharp’s appointment as BBC chairman, and Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain has called for the government to publish Johnson’s internal register of interests.
Sharp has defended his appointment, stating that he had clarified and agreed with Case that he had avoided a conflict or perception of conflict, despite Johnson’s attempts to seek financial advice from him. Sharp also denied that he had given Johnson financial advice or that Johnson had sought such advice from him.
The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of the UK’s public appointment process and the potential for individuals to use their positions to influence and manipulate the system for personal gain. As the investigation into Sharp’s appointment continues, it is clear that the public’s trust in the government’s handling of financial affairs and public appointments has been severely shaken.
