Appointment of Richard Sharp as Chair of the BBC

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 8 Feb 2023 Closed: 1 Sep 2023 Parliament page
The DCMS Committee questioned BBC Chair Richard Sharp on 7 February 2023, following media reports about his appointment. Mr Sharp had originally appeared before the Committee in January 2021 for a pre-appointment hearing in which he faced questions about his political independence and suitability for the role. The Committee subsequently … Read more
1 Recommendation
5 Conclusions
1 Report
Activity timeline 2 events
29 Jun
2023
Report published
12 Feb
2023
Report published
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Appointment of Richard Sharp as Chair of the BBC HC 1147 12 Feb 2023 6 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
28 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
The public appointments process can only work effectively if all those involved are open and...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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29 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
There remains an unresolved issue about why the Cabinet Secretary believed Mr Sharp had been...
There remains an unresolved issue about why the Cabinet Secretary believed Mr Sharp had been giving financial advice to the then Prime Minister, which Mr Sharp insists that he had not done. The Cabinet Office should clear up the confusion … Read more
Government Response
The government points to the Heppinstall KC report, commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary, which sets out the details of the advice given to the former Prime Minister. The government suggests this resolves the issue.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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30 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
In deciding not to recuse himself from involvement in Sam Blyth’s loan to the then...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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31 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
Mr Sharp has accepted that his failure to disclose this involvement has caused embarrassment to...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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32 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
Richard Sharp’s decisions, firstly to become involved in the facilitation of a loan to the...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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33 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Appointment of Ri…
The fact that Ministers have cited this Committee’s original report on Mr Sharp’s appointment as...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 6 of 1 classified
Accepted 1
Acknowledged 5
Total 1 rec + 5 conclusions