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Insiders say the dispute over the transfer of the chairmanship of the BBC to Boris Johnson could spark a staff strike.

Claims that BBC chairman Boris Johnson helped secure a loan guarantee is a “disaster” for the channel’s demand to demonstrate its independence from the government and could spark strikes by staff, insiders say.

BBC leader Richard Sharpe is said to have helped Mr Johnson secure an £800,000 loan guarantee weeks before the then prime minister recommended him for his current position.

The Labor Party called on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and Commissioner for Public Appointments to investigate how Mr Sharp was appointed to his office and whether he acted improperly.

The government said Mr Sharp’s appointment was in accordance with the rules. The Cabinet Office confirmed that Mr. Sharp discussed his relationship with Mr. Johnson with the Cabinet Secretary and was advised not to take part in negotiations involving the then Prime Minister.

A newsroom insider said: “This is a disaster as the BBC should be seen as independent of government and the chairman’s involvement in nepotism now seriously undermines that desire for impartiality.”

Editors pushed Sharp’s story into the BBC’s main newscasts and on its website on Sunday, despite the fact that it may embarrass managers, to show that the station’s journalists believe in reporting stories without fear or preference. understands.

The row with Sharp has also fueled the ire of news workers who face layoffs and shutdowns. Last week there was a deliberative vote on a strike to cut local radio and television. “It seems that strikes are inevitable. The staff believes this is the only way to protect the BBC’s journalistic standards and independence,” a second source told the BBC.

Mr Sharpe’s ability to fulfill his role with an income of £160,000 a year has also been called into question. “His job is to keep the BBC independent of the government and keep broadcasting fees. Last week he asked for more money for world service – how can he do this when his credibility is undermined?

There are fears that BBC leaders are too close to the conservatives: board member Robbie Gibb, an outspoken Brexiteer who ran Theresa May’s Downing Street communications operation, was instrumental in assessing the BBC’s impartiality.

CEO Tim Davy was a Tory councilor in Hammersmith and deputy leader of his local Hammersmith and Fulham party in the 1990s, but renounced all political views before taking up work for the BBC.

Roger Mosey, former head of BBC TV News, said: “This is an important step towards restoring confidence in the impartiality and oversight of the BBC. Stop appointing presidents as politicians. All governments have done it, but it just can’t happen again.”

The BBC’s position is that “it has no role to play in the recruitment of the chairman and all matters are in the hands of the government”.

Those familiar with the BBC’s top-level relations with ministers note that the BBC leader is a gift from Downing Street and is often a supporter of the ruling party – Tony Blair’s nominee Gavin Davies was one of the donors from Labor Party.

Mr Sharp was known to have been Rishi Sunak’s “mentor” at Goldman Sachs and advised the then Chancellor during the pandemic.

Sunday Times reported that Mr Sharp, a Conservative donor, was involved in arranging a loan guarantee of up to £800,000 for Mr Johnson at the end of 2020 when he ran into financial difficulties.

But Mr Sharpe said he was “easily tying up” people and there was no conflict of interest.

He introduced Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to multimillionaire Canadian businessman Sam Blythe, who is a distant relative of Mr. Johnson, and offered to act as his loan guarantor.

A cabinet spokesman said: “Richard Sharp has been appointed Chairman of the BBC following a thorough appointment process, including review by a panel of experts drawn up in accordance with the Code of Public Appointments.

“An additional preliminary inquiry was carried out by a House of Commons Select Committee which confirmed the appointment of Mr Sharpe. All proper recruitment procedures followed.

“The recruitment process is clearly and transparently set out in the Public Appointments Management Code and is overseen by the Commissioner of Public Appointments.”

They added: “Mr Sharp reminded the Cabinet Secretary of the BBC’s appointment process and asked for advice given his existing relationship with Boris Johnson.

“They agreed that, given the appointment process, he should not be involved in negotiations with the then prime minister. This was taken by Mr Sharp to avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest and the then Prime Minister was informed accordingly.”

In January 2021, the government announced that Mr Sharp, a former banker at Goldman Sachs, had been selected by the government to take part in the BBC programme.

One sympathizer said: “Boris told Richard to ‘make the BBC great.’ He even defended the BBC, telling ministers they needed strong long-term funding to carry out their mission.”

“So he tried to help Boris, so what? The fact that he is close to Sunak is positive for the BBC when it comes to the future of royalty.”

After Sunday Times, the BBC’s application form for chairman stated: “You will not be considered for a public appointment unless … you declare a conflict of interest.” Applicants were also encouraged to “report any issues in your personal or professional history that, if appointed, could be misinterpreted, embarrassed, or jeopardize public confidence in the appointment.”

Both Mr. Sharp and Mr. Johnson denied any conflicts of interest.

Source: I News

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