i would like to thank adam heppinstall _ down. i would like to thank adam heppinstall and _ down.d work were i to remain in post until the end of my term. i have therefore this morning resigned as the bbc chair to the secretary of state and the board. it was proposed to me that i stay on as chair until the end ofjune while the process to appoint my successor is undertaken and i will of course do that in the interests of the corporations stability and continuity. let me turn to the events that are subject to the report today. when i saw it in december 2020 to introduce the cabinet secretary to mr blyth, i did so in good faith, with the best of intentions and i did so with the sole purpose of ensuring all relevant rules were being followed. i am pleased that adam heppinstall supports the fact my involvement in this matter is that he states was accordingly very limited. after extensive work, he states his words that he is happy to record that he has seen no evidence and more committee to see them i say i played any part whatsoever in facilitation, arrangement or financing of a loan t

the report's author, adam heppinstall kc, says mr sharp informed the former prime minister, that's borisjohnson before he had made his application. and on a separate occasion, that he could make an introduction to someone who might assist the former prime minister with his personal finances. in my subsequent interview with the appointments panel, i wish, with the benefit of hindsight, this potential perceived conflict of interest was something i'd considered to mention. i would like once again to apologise for that oversight, inadvertent though it was, and for the distraction these events have caused the bbc. what's at stake here, was the bbc chairman able to be truly independent of the government, or, as this report says, was there a risk people might think, for example, he was beholden to the prime minister? the report goes on to say none of this need be true for there to be a potential perceived conflict of interest. the role is a political appointment. richard sharp was backed by borisjohnson. he was also once the current prime minister's boss, when they worked together in banking. rishi su

adam heppinstall kc, who investigated, said mr sharp told borisjohnson he wished to apply to be chaired before the report was published. in an interview tonight with katie razzell he insisted he only ever, 'connected' , people, and that the review had acknowledged the breach was inadvertant. well today that resignation came— this is what he had to say. mr heppinstall�*s view is that while i did breach the governance code for public appointments, he states very clearly that a breach does not necessarily invalidate an appointment. indeed, i have always maintained the breach was inadvertent and not material, which the facts he lays out substantiate. the secretary of state has consulted with the bbc board who support that view. nevertheless, i have decided that it is right to prioritise the interests of the bbc. i feel that this matter may well be a distraction from the corporations good work were i to remain in post until the end of my term. i have, therefore, this morning, resigned as the bbc chair to the secretary of state and to the board. richard sharp was appointed chairman of the b

faces an inquiry by barrister adam heppinstall.he fact he wanted to help mrjohnson out financially. he said that was the end of his involvement and he was advised he could avoid a conflict—of—interest by taking no further part. a committee of mps though, they have accused of a serious error ofjudgment. we have to wait to see what this report concludes. but if there is any criticism is likely to put mr gresham correct or pressure on mr sharp to stand down. the bbc does not have the power to remove the chairman. that is for the government stop there is likely to be pressure from the opposition if there is any criticism, for rishi sunak to intervene. thank you. 12 minutes past seven. television presenterjames gordon television presenter james gordon has television presenterjames gordon has hosted its final episode of the late late show in the united states. the british entertainer, who moved to the us eight years ago, started to the us eight years ago, started to present his chat show, which became a huge success thanks to his ability

adams, bbc news. the chairman of the bbc is resigning. missed a statement on friday night. the view of mr heppinstallf the code does not necessarily invalidate an appointment. indeed, i have always maintained the breach was inadvertent and not material, which the facts he lays out substantial. secretary of state has consulted with the bbc board, who support that view. nevertheless, i have decided that it is right to prioritise the interest of the bbc. i feel that this matter may well be a distraction from the corporation she does good work were i to remain in post until the end of my term. i have there for this morning resigned as a bbc chair to the secretary of state and to the board. i am joined now by a senior lecturer in media and culture at oxford brookes university. was he right to resign? i mean, absolutely, from my perspective, we knew everything we needed to in the last report, and, well, we will take a resignation, but it is not the same as the full accountability which comes with a second. and i think perhaps so that probably should have done that before now. probably should have done that