Appointment of Richard Sharp as Chair of the BBC
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Closed
Inquiry
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 …
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1
Recommendation
5
Conclusions
1
Report
Activity timeline 2 events
29 Jun
2023
2023
12 Feb
2023
2023
Report published
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| 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
5 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 …
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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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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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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