Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Eighth Report - Appointment of Richard Sharp as Chair of the BBC
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
HC 1147
Published 12 February 2023
Conclusions (5)
28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The public appointments process can only work effectively if all those involved are open and transparent. Richard Sharp chose to tell the then Prime Minister both of his application to Chair the BBC and of his involvement in the arrangement of a loan for the Mr Johnson but decided not …
Government Response Summary
The government notes the Committee's conclusions regarding Richard Sharp's failure to divulge his involvement in the loan guarantee. The government is currently considering recommendations from Mr Heppinstall KC's report regarding the public appointments process in general and will respond further in due course.
30
Conclusion
Acknowledged
In deciding not to recuse himself from involvement in Sam Blyth’s loan to the then Prime Minister nor to reveal his involvement to either this Committee or the appointments panel, Mr Sharp decided to leave our Committee without the full facts we required to make an informed judgement on his …
Government Response Summary
The government notes the Committee's conclusions regarding Richard Sharp's failure to divulge his involvement in the loan guarantee. The government is currently considering recommendations from Mr Heppinstall KC's report regarding the public appointments process in general and will respond further in due course.
31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Mr Sharp has accepted that his failure to disclose this involvement has caused embarrassment to him and the BBC and has potentially been misconstrued, both of which are tests on conflicts that the public appointments process specifically requires candidates to consider. However, he continues to rely on a reassurance from …
Government Response Summary
The government notes the Committee's conclusions regarding Richard Sharp's failure to disclose this involvement. The government is currently considering recommendations from Mr Heppinstall KC's report regarding the public appointments process in general and will respond further in due course.
32
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Richard Sharp’s decisions, firstly to become involved in the facilitation of a loan to the then Prime Minister while at the same time applying for a job that was in that same person’s gift, and then to fail to disclose this material relationship, were significant errors of judgement, which undermine …
Government Response Summary
The Government acknowledges the Committee’s conclusions regarding Mr. Sharp and reiterates obligations on candidates and appointees to declare conflicts of interest; planning is underway for the process to appoint a permanent new Chair, and recommendations from the Heppinstall KC report are currently being considered.
33
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The fact that Ministers have cited this Committee’s original report on Mr Sharp’s appointment as a defence of the process was followed, when we were not in full possession of all the facts that we should have had before us in order to come to our judgement, is highly unsatisfactory. …
Government Response Summary
The Government acknowledges the Committee’s conclusions regarding Mr. Sharp and reiterates obligations on candidates and appointees to declare conflicts of interest; planning is underway for the process to appoint a permanent new Chair, and recommendations from the Heppinstall KC report are currently being considered.