BBC Chairman Richard Sharp's intervention to help Boris Johnson's finances has angered staff who are holding a strike ballot over radio cuts and redundancies
to secure a loan guarantee are a “disaster” for the broadcaster’s requirement to demonstrate independence from the Government and could push staff to take strike action, insiders have said.
The Government said Mr Sharp’s appointment had been made in line with the rules. The Cabinet Office acknowledged Mr Sharp had discussed his relationship with Mr Johnson with the Cabinet Secretary and was advised not to take part in discussions involving the then Prime Minister. Director-General Tim Davie stood as a Tory councillor in Hammersmith in the 90s and was deputy chairman of his local Hammersmith and Fulham party but who dropped any political allegiance before he began his role with the BBC.
Those familiar with the BBC’s top-level relations with ministers note that the BBC chairman is in the gift of Downing Street and is often a supporter of the party in power – Gavyn Davies, appointed by Tony Blair, was a Labour donor. “There was additional pre-appointment scrutiny by a House of Commons Select Committee which confirmed Mr Sharp’s appointment. All the correct recruitment processes were followed.
“They agreed that he could not take part in discussions involving the then Prime Minister, given the appointment process. This was accepted by Mr Sharp to avoid any conflict or appearance of any conflict of interest and the then Prime Minister was advised accordingly.”
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