Richard Sharp has resigned as chairman of the BBC in the wake of a report into his appointment following a cronyism row.
Mr Sharp said the report found he had breached the government’s code for the public appointments but said it was “inadvertent”.
The matter has been a “distraction” for the BBC, and he has therefore this morning resigned as the BBC chair.
He said he will stay on until a replacement is found.
“To chair this incredible organisation has been an honour,” he added.
He had been caught up in a row over his appointment into the role at the BBC since January, when he was reported to have helped facilitate an £800,000 loan guarantee for Boris Johnson – just weeks before the former prime minister appointed Mr Sharp.
Mr Johnson remained tight-lipped when asked about Mr Sharp this morning as he left his home.
An investigation into Mr Sharp’s appointment by the commissioner for public appointments was announced the same month, only for the commissioner, William Shawcross, to recuse himself from the process due to “contact” between himself and the BBC chairman.
Barrister Adam Heppinstall KC took over the probe.
This investigation was published this morning by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
It outlined how Mr Sharp told Mr Johnson he wanted to apply for the BBC chairman role in November 2020.
He also told the PM, before any interviews took place, that he was going to meet with Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to attempt an introduction for Mr Johnson with someone who had made a “suggestion” that “he might assist the former prime minister with his personal finances”.
The meeting with Mr Case took place in December 2020, but the investigation did not consider or make findings about Mr Johnson’s finances.
