Richard Sharp: BBC chairman says Boris Johnson loan row 'a distraction'

Richard Sharp has defended his position as BBC chairman amid scrutiny over his links with Boris Johnson.

Claims emerged over the weekend that the ex-banker was involved in securing a loan of up to £800,000 for the then-prime minister.

Mr Sharp said he had not been involved in a loan, a guarantee or arranging any financing.

In a statement to BBC employees, he called the row “a distraction for the organisation, which I regret”.

He said he had never hidden his longstanding relationship with the former PM.

According to The Sunday Times, Mr Sharp was involved in helping to arrange a guarantor on a loan of up to £800,000 for Mr Johnson in late 2020.

Mr Sharp – a former Goldman Sachs banker – was announced as the government’s choice for the new BBC chairman in January 2021.

The government’s choice is ultimately decided by the prime minister, on the advice of the culture secretary, who is in turn advised by a panel.

Mr Sharp told BBC staff in an email: “I believe firmly that I was appointed on merit, which the Cabinet Office have also confirmed”.

Mr Johnson and the government have rejected suggestions there was any conflict of interest involved.

Labour has called for the Commissioner for Public Appointments to fully investigate the appointment.

Mr Sharp confirmed that he introduced Mr Johnson to Sam Blythe, who he described as an “old friend” and who also happened to be a distant cousin of the then-PM.

The Sunday Times identified Mr Blythe as the source of a loan facility worth up to £800,000.

He said Mr Blythe had offered to support the then-PM “having become aware of the financial pressures” on him.

Mr Sharp said he was “not involved in making a loan, or arranging a guarantee, and I did not arrange any financing”.

He said he introduced Mr Blythe to “the relevant official in government” because he [Mr Blythe] “wanted to check with me what the right way to go about this could be”.