i think that is full richard sharpe _ tenable? i think that is full richard sharpe are - tenable?rd sharpe are not - tenable? i think that is full richard sharpe are not for| tenable? i think that is full - richard sharpe are not for me. the lone dimension adds another element to it. but the bigger picture is that if you have this great organisation, the bbc, it would be better if the people living and had no known political affiliations and were completely independent. i used to sit on the board with the european broadcasting union when chris patton was chair of the bbc, and it was actually the russians are used to make fun of us for the fact that there we were, the great public broadcaster, with a chairman of the conservative party apparently running it. it isjust much better if that doesn't happen, and it's much better if you have someone who genuinely is the best candidate coming through in an independent and impartial process. former editor editorial director of the bbc, roger mose, thank you very much. just on borisjohnson, the former prime minister has made an unannounced v

i think if i were richard sharp i would feel- i were richard sharp i would feel obliged to resign.is position inside the bbc is now going to be very difficult. people inside the bbc will quite rightly i think feel uncomfortable about a chairman who had this sort of relationship with the then prime minister. but briefl , it with the then prime minister. but briefly, it was evident he was a donor to the tory party so, the relationship was there to be seen. it is one thing to give money to the conservative party. it is another to dig up a long lost cousin who can bail out the prime minister when it is the prime minister who actually is the prime minister who actually is one of the people, one of the key people, in deciding what is going to be the head of bbc.— be the head of bbc. thank you for “oininr be the head of bbc. thank you for joining us- — energy suppliers have been told to stop forcing households to switch to more expensive pre—payment meters. the business secretary, grant shapps, has written to companies saying they should instead prioritise help — such as debt advice — for

i think that is a matter for richard sharp _ tenable?ichard sharp and _ tenable? i think that is a matter for richard sharp and not - tenable? i think that is a matter for richard sharp and not for. tenable? i think that is a matter. for richard sharp and not for me. i think the loans story adds an extra dimension. the big picture remains if you have this great broadcaster, the bbc, it would be better if the people leading it had no political affiliations and were independent. i used to sit on the board of the european broadcasting union and the russians made fun of us saying that we had the chairman of the conservative party running it. it is better if that doesn't happen and it is better if you have somebody who is better if you have somebody who is genuinely the best candidate. roger mosey. the former prime minister, borisjohnson has made an unannounced visit to ukraine to show his ongoing support to the ukrainian government. mrjohnson said he had been invited by the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, saying it was a privilege to

richard sharp's appointment two ears a a 0. ., . ., , richard sharp's appointment two earsao. . . . ,ard _ years ago. i am certainly of the view that richard sharp, - years ago. i am certainly of the view that richard sharp, the i years ago. i am certainly of the i view that richard sharp, the bbc chair, should be called back, because clearly he withheld information from us during his pre—appointment hearing. the pre-appointment hearing. the committee _ pre-appointment hearing. the committee is _ pre—appointment hearing. the committee is due to meet tomorrow. tonight, the bbc chairman, richard sharp, said he welcomed the review into his appointment. it is now up to the commission to decide if the job was given fairly, openly and on merit. katie razzall, bbc news. let's talk to our political editor, chris mason, whojoins let's talk to our political editor, chris mason, who joins us now from westminster. terri investigations presenting headaches for the prime minister. . �* . presenting headaches for the prime minister. . �* , , , minister. that's right, this is the crunchina minister.

how does it ensure it does — chairman, richard sharp.s it ensure it does so _ chairman, richard sharp. how does it ensure it does so impartially? - chairman, richard sharp. how does it ensure it does so impartially? it - ensure it does so impartially? it wasn't relevant for bbc news to describe this tax lawyer who investigated nadeem zahawi as a labour supporter? two sets of allegations dominated the news coverage in the first half of this week. both involve money and senior conservative politicians. 0ne also involve the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp. fewer opinion was divided as to whether bbc news had devoted the right amount of coverage to each of those details. here is a viewer called ch. 0thers felt that the bbc had been slow last week to report the deans zahawi is tax affairs and that this week it had given insufficient attention to what transpired between richard sharp and borisjohnson. keith russell wrote to on monday. the investigation into it nadeem zahawi sub financials a pair two affairs was kick started by the tax exper

this morning, the foreign secretary defended richard sharp's appointment.t he is an incredibly accomplished, incredibly successful individual who brings a wealth of experience with him. that is why he was appointed to chairmanship of the bbc. but i have not had the chance to discuss any of the issues that were brought up today. before he was appointed as bbc chair, richard sharp was quizzed by mps about his political links. do you think it is appropriate that you should end up, as a massive tory donor, getting a job from a tory cabinet minister when you are friends with two members of the cabinet? first of all, i think that's an entirely legitimate question to ask. oh, thank you. then the answer is, really, on my merits, am i an appropriate candidate? will i be able to do a good job? i think there is for you to judge, and that is for the panel tojudge. labour wanted investigation into whether borisjohnson broke parliamentary rules and say these revelations could have an impact on the bbc. it's pretty extraordinary, if someone who is running to be the chairm

those who appointed richard sharp, how will they respond? howl sharp, how will they respond?is? i don't know. in are they responding to this? i don't know- in the _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it was _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it was johnson's l know. in the end it wasjohnson's decision. he would have passed his decision. he would have passed his decision on to the secretary of state for culture and media. it would be worthwhile hearing from them about the whole process. it was no secret thatjohnson originally wanted charles moore, the conservative peer, who was so critical of the bbc that he was once fined for not paying a licence fee. you would think he would be the last person who should be joining the bbc. the whole thing did look like a stitch up. that's why this cosy relationship, including dinners at the prime minister, richard sharp and the man who eventually gave him the long facility of up to £800,0

the process of hiring bbc chairman richard sharp is to be reviewed by the commissioner of public appointmentsfollowing claims that mr sharp was involved in securing a loan for then—prime minister, borisjohnson. more than 20 thousand nhs ambulance workers will take part in another strike over pay, manning picket lines across much of england and wales. former employees of the welsh rugby union have accused the organisation of having a "toxic" culture of sexism. everton have sacked manager, frank lampard, after less than a year in charge. their defeat at west ham on saturday was everton�*s ninth loss in 12 league games. and, meet the uk's youngest member of mensa. four—year—old teddy taught himself to read when he was just two, and can count to 100 in seven languages — including mandarin. the prime minister has asked his independent ethics adviser, to examine how the conservative party chairman and former chancellor, nadhim zahawi, settled a multi—million pound tax dispute. rishi sunak says there are questions that needed answers. mr zahawi says his error was careless but not deliberate, and his

the appointment of richard sharp as chairman of the bbc is to be investigated by the commissioner fornson, the prime minister who appointed him in 2021. mr sharp has faced allegations that shortly before his appointment he helped secure a loan of up to £800,000 for mrjohnson. the commissioner says it's important to make sure that the appointment was properly made. mr sharp says he has not been involved in arranging any financing, as our culture and media editor katie razzall explains. this is the bbc you know — it prides itself on being the great entertainer, the educator, the informer. in charge behind the scenes, are the chairman, richard sharp, appointed by the government, he leads the bbc board and upholds the independence of the corporation. the director—general, tim davie oversees the day—to—day running of the bbc as it's editor in chief. the commissioner of public appointments has announced he will review the process that led to mr sharp getting the job. it follows weekend reports that mr sharp helped to arrange a loan for borisjohnson when he was prime minister and that mr sha

richard sharp was appointed as chairman of the bbc injanuary 2021.r of the day and the prime minister of the day and the culture secretary in government, and the sunday times is reporting today that, weeks before that appointment, richard sharp, along a friend of the former prime minister borisjohnson, helped him get access to a loan of up to £800,000, and he did that through meeting with a distance cousin of mrjohnson, a wealthy canadian businessman, sam blythe, proposing to act as a guarantorfor blythe, proposing to act as a guarantor for that loan. blythe, proposing to act as a guarantorfor that loan. he blythe, proposing to act as a guarantor for that loan. he was later put in touch by richard sharp with cabinet secretary, the most senior official in government, simon case. that, as far as richard sharp as saying in his short statement, is the end of it. he simply connected individuals. the sunday times says he didn't declare any of that when he was applying for the job and indeed appointed for the role of bbc chairman and that raises what some s

in a statement this morning, richard sharp said... he went on to say... ed arrange an £800,000 loan to mrjohnson late in 2020. that loan was reportedly being guaranteed by the millionaire businessman sam blythe — a friend of mr sharp and a distant cousin of borisjohnson — who asked mr sharp for advice. mr sharp discussed this with the head of the civil service — simon case, who was appointed by borisjohnson and introduced him to sam blythe. mr sharp said he then took no further part in the discussions. just weeks later mrjohnson had recommended mr sharp as his preferred candidate for the £160,000 a year role of bbc chairman. i�*m joined now by katie razzall, our culture and media editor. as we could see their on the screen, it is this sort of trail of who spoke to when and what about, and richard sharp has now put out a statement. he richard sharp has now put out a statement-— richard sharp has now put out a statement. . , ., , statement. he has within the last hour, he statement. he has within the last hour. he has _ statement. he has within the last hour

the richard sharp involvement is a follow—up . week ago. _ involvement is a follow—up to last week, which is the loan— involvement is a follow—up to last week, which is the loan providedl involvement is a follow—up to last l week, which is the loan provided by a distant _ week, which is the loan provided by a distant cousin. _ week, which is the loan provided by a distant cousin. all— week, which is the loan provided by a distant cousin. all the _ week, which is the loan provided by a distant cousin. all the parties- a distant cousin. all the parties involved — a distant cousin. all the parties involved have _ a distant cousin. all the parties involved have given— a distant cousin. all the parties| involved have given statements a distant cousin. all the parties. involved have given statements to the sunday— involved have given statements to the sunday times which _ involved have given statements to the sunday times which suggest l involved have given statements to i the sunday times which suggest they did everything — the sunday times which

the first one is, how did richard sharp get the job in the first place? based on the sunday times story, it looked as though there was some involvement with an £800,000 loan to borisjohnson to help him out of a sticky situation with his personalfinances — that was the central allegation — did he get thejob because he essentially had helped the prime minister out? what richard sharp is saying today and he was saying in his email yesterday, was that he did have a communication with an old friend, sam blyth, who wanted to help out the prime minister because he had seen in the press that there were some problems with his finances. that was only a matter of passing on some information to simon case, the cabinet secretary, and then it was no more after that because of course at that time, he was applying for the job of the bbc and he says there is no conflict of interest because all he did was pass on the name of sam blyth onwards and he was not involved in the loan. but there's the second element of it, which is that once it becomes front page news, lots of pe

bbc chairman richard sharp says he will not stand down over the borisjohnson loan row. discuss the situation in a&e departments across england. a report has found failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to commit the murder of zara aleena just days after he was released from prison. the chief inspector of the service says it is "chronically understaffed". it's impossible to say whether the murder could have been avoided, but we did find severe deficits in practice at many stages of jordan mcsweeney�*s supervision. there are growing fears that this year could see a wave of companies collapsing as the cost—of—living crisis continues. police in california arrest a suspected gunman after the second mass shooting in days leaves seven dead. the oscars nominations will be announced later. the shortlist could see more sequels than ever up for best picture. sport now and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. it's been a decade since victoria azarenka last won the australian open and she's continuing her quest to claim a third title at the

i defended richard sharpe's appointment.— defended richard sharpe's appointment. defended richard sharpe's ., ., appointment. i know that he has an incredibly accomplished, _ appointment. i know that he has an incredibly accomplished, incredibly| incredibly accomplished, incredibly successful individual who brings a wealth_ successful individual who brings a wealth of— successful individual who brings a wealth of experience with him. that is why— wealth of experience with him. that is why he _ wealth of experience with him. that is why he was appointed to chairmanship of the bbc. but i have not had _ chairmanship of the bbc. but i have not had the — chairmanship of the bbc. but i have not had the chance to discuss any of the issues _ not had the chance to discuss any of the issues that were brought up today — today. before he was today. — before he was appointed as bbc chair, richard sharpe was quizzed by mps about his political links. do you think it is appropriate that you should end up as a massive tory donor getting a job from a tory cabinet minister when you are friends with two membe

we put those points to bbc news and they told us: the bbc chairman richard sharp gave an interview one corporation's own media editor. katie razzall. it came two days after newspaper story allege he'd helped facilitate a loan to the then prime minister, borisjohnson, just weeks before mrjohnson appointed him chairman of the bbc. he denies being involved in any loan. she asked mr sharp about the allegations of a conflict of interest around the time he was appointed to the post. during the process, candidates were asked if there could be anything that might embarrass the government or the organisation if it came to light. i mean, this is embarrassing to the bbc and potentially the government isn't it? having had a discussion with the cabinet secretary about avoiding conflict and the perception of conflict, i felt comfortable — and i still feel there was no conflict. well, let's talk now to katie razzall, recently appointed media editor for bbc news in addition to her role as cultural editor. katie, how did that interview come about? well, from the moment i actually read about the sunday

minister borisjohnson to the parliamentary standards watchdog over allegations that bbc chairman richard sharp helped him arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800,000. thousands of israelis take to the streets against benjamin netanyahu's right wing coalition in what could be the biggest anti—government protests in a decade. president zelensky says he'll keep asking western allies to send modern tanks to ukraine, after a meeting of more than 50 countries ended without agreement translation: we will still have to fight - for the supply of modern tanks. but every day we make it more obvious — there is no alternative to making the decision on tanks. the chair of the conservative party nadim zahawi has confirmed that he made a payment to the tax office to settle a disagreement about his tax affairs. mr zahawi said hmrc accepted that an error concerning shares he gave to his father — for help in setting up the polling company yougov in 2000 — had been careless and not deliberate. it comes after newspaper reports that he'd paid a seven figure sum and been subject to a penalty. it's understood the

before he was appointed as bbc chair, richard sharp was quizzed by mps about his political links.you should end up, as a massive tory donor, getting a job from a tory cabinet minister when you're friends with two members of the cabinet. firstly, i think that is an entirely legitimate question to ask. - well, thank you. and the answer is, - really, on my merits am ian appropriate candidate? will i be able to do a good job? i and i think that's for you to judge. and that was for the panel to judge. labour want an investigation into whether borisjohnson broke parliamentary rules, and say these revelations could have an impact on the bbc. i think it's pretty extraordinary if someone who was running to be the chairman ends up acting as a broker to help the prime minister of the day out of whatever financial difficulties he was in. at the very least that should all have been declared and brought into the open. a spokesperson for borisjohnson said all of his financial arrangements had been properly declared and registered. the bbc says it has no role in the recruitment of the chair and a

tonight, the bbc chairman, richard sharp, said he welcomed the review into his appointment.is now up to the commissioner to decide if the job was given fairly, openly, and on merit. maryam: stay with us on "outside source." investigators in california are seeking a motive for the mass shooting near los angeles which left many people died. -- people dead. >> the shuttle challenger exploded soon after liftoff. there were seven astronauts on bod, one of them a woman schoolteacher. all of them are believed to be killed. >> by the evening, terrier square was in the hands of the demotrators. they were using the word revolution. ♪ >> the earthquake singled out buildings and brought them down in seconds. tonight, the search for any rvivors has an increasing desperation about it as the hours pass. >> the newernment is family in control of the entire republic. >> survivors of the concentration camp have been commemorated in it 40th anniversary of the liberation. they tore the gas chambers and crematorium and relive their horrifying experiences. ♪ maryam: this is "outside source" live

he asked his friend richard sharp had to go about it. h in touch with the most senior civil servant in the country to discuss the matter. but richard sharp was also running for the job of bbc chairman. it is an appointment given by the government, not the broadcaster. mr blyth went on to guarantee an £800,000 loan facility to boris johnson, but mr sharp said he wasn't involved in the financing. the sunday times has obtained a leaked memo to borisjohnson dating from december 20020, two weeks before mr sharp was announced as the new bbc chairman. it dispenses the following advice to the then prime minister: last week, richard sharp said he gave no advice to borisjohnson. i knew nothing and i know nothing about his finances. sam was responding to press reports. i don't know anything about boris johnson's finances. and he's sticking to that position now. a spokesman for borisjohnson said richard sharp has never given any financial advice to borisjohnson, nor has borisjohnson asked for advice from him. in terms of standards and ethics, it woul

the headlines: bbc chairman richard sharp says he will not stand down over the borisjohnson loan row.merit. and i'm also comfortable that as a result of my discussion with simon case that i avoided a conflict, or a potential conflict, because i wasn't party to any transaction. calls for conservative chair nadhim zahawi to stand aside or be sacked — after questions over a multi—million pound tax settlement. nato's head calls for the swift deployment of more advanced weapons to ukraine, saying the war is at a pivotal moment. a scandal of abuse and neglect at three children's homes in doncaster. the regulator rated the homes as good even though there had been many warnings about ill—treatment and this years oscar nominees have been announced. those up for best picture include: avatar, elvis, and everything everywhere all at once. the chairman of the bbc says he has no plans to step aside or resign over the borisjohnson loan row and believes he has done nothing wrong. richard sharp is accused of helping to facilitate a loan to the then prime minister, when he was applying to be bbc chairm

the uk's public appointments watchdog is to investigate the selection of the bbc chairman richard sharp000 for the then—pm around the time he was applying to be bbc chairman. the government is responsible for the appointment. mr sharp insists he has not been involved in a loan, a guarantee or arranging any financing. here's our culture and media editor katie razzall. this is the bbc you now — it prides itself on being the great entertainer, the educator, the informer. behind the scenes, the two in charge of the chairman, richard sharp, appointed by the government, he leads the bbc board and upholds the independence of the corporation. the day—to—day running is led by director—general tim davie, the editor in chief. this afternoon, the commission of public appointments has announced he will review the process that led to mr sharp getting the job. it follows weekend reports that he helped to arrange a loan for borisjohnson when he was prime minister and that mr sharp didn't declare that during the appointment process. i have no reason at all to doubt richard sharp's integrity. the problem

a spokesman for borisjohnson said — bbc chairman richard sharp said, what is the political reaction? the political reaction? “twat was a meal featuring johnson and on the loan and sharp, how to checkers, the loan and sharp, how to checkers, the prime ministers residence. the former prime minister characterised, i do know is referring to specifically but he has used the word rubbish and he insists that when of his interests was properly declared in there are questions for sharp and job applications stated that candidates were not eligible if they failed to disclose conflicts of interest. politically, he asked what the reaction is and it is inevitably focusing on the prime minister and the shadow culture secretary, the party referred to the committee for standards in the culture secretary featured a few months ago that the revelations on this and the bbc and its reputation for neutrality and impartiality. and notice of the political establishment and civil service but the prime minister but also the chairman and again for the sake of fairness and i'm sure you will in due course, he has

that memo comes from december 2020, so it was a couple of weeks before the announcement of richard sharpr borisjohnson. it tells him to, quote, "no longer" ask for advice on his financial affairs from mr sharp. now, this would then — you would assume — tend to suggest that perhaps, that advice had been sought in the period when richard sharp was a contender to become bbc chairman. but as far as richard sharp was concerned, he had said at the time when this story first broke a week ago that his role has simply been to introduce a wealthy canadian businessman called sam blyth to the country's most senior civil servant to discuss how he could assist the prime minister financially. he had no knowledge, he said, of the financial arrangements. and in a letter to bbc staff, he said he didn't guarantee any loans himself and he didn't get involved in any financing, although mr blyth did turn out to guarantee a loan worth £800,000. now, following the publication of this leaked memo, as i understand it, mr sharp's position hasn't changed. his position is still insisting that he was not a financial

the bbc chairman richard sharp gave an interview on tuesday to the corporations owned media editor.ter newspaper story allege here to help facilitate a loan to the then prime minister, borisjohnsonjust weeks loan to the then prime minister, borisjohnson just weeks before mr johnson appointed him chairman of the bbc. he denies being involved in any loan put up she asked mr sharp about the allegations of a conflict of interest around the time he was appointed to the post.— appointed to the post. during the rocess appointed to the post. during the process candidates _ appointed to the post. during the process candidates were - appointed to the post. during the process candidates were asked i appointed to the post. during the process candidates were asked if| process candidates were asked if there could be anything that might embarrass the government or the organisation if it came to light. i mean, this is embarrassing to the bbc and potentially the government isn't it? ., bbc and potentially the government isn't it? . ., ., ,. ,, ., isn't it? having had a discussion with that cabinet _

for two years, richard sharp has been the public face of the bbc.then prime minister borisjohnson and the culture secretary. it is that relationship between borisjohnson and richard sharp which is now under scrutiny. the former goldman sachs banker is reported to have helped arrange an £800,000 loan to mrjohnson late in 2020. that loan was reportedly guaranteed by the millionaire businessman sam blind. mr sharp discussed this _ businessman sam blind. mr sharp discussed this with _ businessman sam blind. mr sharp discussed this with the _ businessman sam blind. mr sharp discussed this with the head - businessman sam blind. mr sharp discussed this with the head of. discussed this with the head of the civil service. this man simon case who was appointed by borisjohnson and introduced him to sam blyth. weeks later mrjohnson recommended mr sharp as his preferred candidate for the 160,00 pounds a year role as bbc chairman. candidates must declare any conflict of interest. mr sharp says there wasn't one as he has just connected the two men. today, a cabine

the process of appointing bbc chairman, richard sharp, is to be reviewed. hear from brendan fraser about his oscar—tipped role as a morbidly obese man trying to reconnect with his family in new film, the whale sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. some injury headaches for new england head coach steve borthwick courtney lawes has pulled out of the training squad, ahead of the six nations the launch of the tournament took place earlier today, with all the head coaches asked about the new rules on tackle height, where players in clubs, schools, colleges and universities must tackle from waist—height down from next season borthwick agrees safety needs to be addressed. i think right now everybody understands the importance of this matter, and i think everybody wants to find the best solution. is there an instant fix? is there an instant answer? no, idon�*t an instant fix? is there an instant answer? no, i don�*t think so, but is it the right thing to do, to be trying to address the issue? absolutely. i know there are a few who will be publish

that memo comes from december 2020, a couple of weeks before the announcement of richard sharp as he ls him to no longer ask for advice on his financial affairs from mr sharp. this would of it you would assume, suggest that advice had been sought when richard sharp was a contender to become a bbc chairman, but as far as richard sharp was concerned, he had said at the time, when this story first broke a week ago, that his role has dimly been to introduce a wealthy canadian businessman to the country's most senior civil servant to discuss how he could assist the prime minister financially. to discuss how he could assist the prime ministerfinancially. he had no knowledge, he said, of the financial arrangements, and in a letter to bbc staff, he said he did not guarantee any loans himself and he did not get involved in any financing, although mr blythe did guaranteeing although mr blythe did guaranteeing a loan of £800,000. following the leaking of this memo, mr sharp's position has not changed. he is saying he was not a financial adviser divorced johnson in any way, adviser divorced johns

for two years, richard sharp has been the public face of the bbc.to be more competitive. he was appointed by then prime minister borisjohnson and the culture secretary. it is that relationship between borisjohnson and richard sharp which is now under scrutiny. the former goldman sachs banker is reported to have helped arrange an £800,000 loan to mrjohnson late in 2020. this man simon case who was appointed by borisjohnson and introduced him to sam blyth. weeks later mrjohnson recommended mr sharp as his preferred candidate for the 160,00 pounds a year role as bbc chairman. candidates must declare any conflict of interest. mr sharp says there wasn't one as he has just connected the two men. today a cabinet office spokesperson said mr sharp asked simon case for it all. they agreed he could not take part in discussion involving the then prime minister and this was accepted by mr sharp to avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest. i know he is an incredibly accomplished, successful individual, who brings a wealth of experience with him, t

he asked his friend richard sharpe had to go about it. the government and put mr blythe in touch with the most senior civil servant in the country to discuss the matter. richard sharpe was also running for the job of the busy chairman. sam both went on to guarantee an £800,000 loan to borisjohnson, but mr sharp says he wasn't involved in the financing. the sunday times has obtained a leaked memo to borisjohnson dating from december 2000 20, two weeks before bridget archer was announced as the new bbc chairman. it dispenses the following advice to the then prime minister: last week, richard sharp said he gave no advice to borisjohnson. i knew nothing and know nothing about his finances. sam was responding to press reports. i don't know anything about his finances. find press reports. i don't know anything about his finances.— about his finances. and he is stickin: about his finances. and he is sticking to — about his finances. and he is sticking to that _ about his finances. and he is sticking to that position - about his finances. and he is

bbc chairman richard sharp said "there is not a conflict when i simply connected, at his request, mrsecretary and had no further involvement whatsoever." a bbc spokesman said: "the bbc plays no role in the recruitment of the chair and any questions are a matter for the government." the cabinet office have been contacted but have not commented to the bbc. thousands of israelis have packed the streets of several cities in the second weekend of large scale demonstrations against benjamin netanyahu's right wing coalition. this was the scene in tel aviv in what organisers believe could be one of the biggest anti—government protests in a decade. protesters are accusing mr netanyahu of threatening democracy with the most radically nationalist and religious coalition the country's ever known. the bbc�*s tom bateman is in tel aviv these protesters say they believe there is a coup going on to try to dismantle israel's system of government by netanyahu, by this coalition, it is the most radically nationalist right—wing religious government in israel's history. it has brought all these people ou

you know, it is well known that richard sharp had a long—standing relationship with borisjohnson andthink that. .. going forward, again for public institutions, which - think that. .. going forward, again for public institutions, which is i for public institutions, which is what today�*s report focuses on, is it right that the bbc should have, you know, politically appointed chair people at the top, given this is supposed to be a completely neutral editorial organisation? well, on the one hand, i think my understanding is that the chair should not be involved in editorial decision—making but of course, his role is to safeguard perceptions of the bbc. it has long been the case that there has been a chair of the bbc who has had political experience and to some degree, that is desirable because you want people who understand the context in which the bbc is operating in order to understand, you know, its organisational strategy and those kind of thing is that the chair has a role in. but i think we need to be careful that the rules for public appointments reflect what everybody is comfor

it is that relationship between boris johnson and richard sharp which is now under scrutiny. achs banker is reported to have helped arrange an £800,000 loan to mrjohnson late in 2020. mrsharp mr sharp december cussed this where the head of the civil service, this man simon case who was appointed by borisjohnson and introduced him to sam blyth. weeks later mrjohnson recommended mr sharp as his preferred candidate for the 160,00 pounds a year role as bbc chairman. candidates must declare any conflict of interest. mr sharp says there wasn't one he hasjust of interest. mr sharp says there wasn't one he has just kicked the two men. today a cabinet office spokesperson said mr sharp asked simon case for it all. they agreed he could not take part in discussion involving the then prime minister and this was accepted by mr sharp to avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest. i avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest.— conflict of interest. i know he is an incredibly — conflict of interest. i know he is an incredibly accomplished, - an incredibly accomplish

richard sharp, the chairman of the bbc, says he will not step down following allegations of a conflicthelping to facilitate a loan to the prime minister borisjohnson, just before mrjohnson named mr sharp for the bbc role. mr sharp denies being involved in any loan, but his appointment is now being reviewed by the commissioner of public appointments, and he'll answer questions from a parliamentary committee in a fortnight�*s time. our media editor katie razzall is here with more details. thanks, huw. first a reminder of the background. richard sharp has been chairman of the bbc since february 2021, in charge of upholding its independence. he had a 40—year career as a banker. he was a major donor to the conservatives, and worked alongside rishi sunak both at goldman sachs and when he was chancellor. mr sharp is also a close friend of the former prime minister borisjohnson — he calls him al, as many of his friends do. it's that relationship that's now in the spotlight. over reports about a loan guarantee reportedly offered to mrjohnson by another old friend, businessman sam blyth who, mr

also on the programme — the chairman of the bbc richard sharp says he won't resign over claims of a conflict a interest when he took the top job. as afghans brave the coldest winterfor a decade, millions face hunger in —31 degree temperatures. it's in! and the marvel of darvel — how the sixth tier side felled a scottish premiership giant. and coming up in sport on the bbc news channel: ten years after she won her last grand slam title, victoria azarenka reaches the semi—finals of the australian open, where the wimbledon champion awaits. after the organisers go bust. —— another borough. good evening. a bbc investigation into abuse and neglect at three children's homes and schools in doncaster has found that more than 100 reports of concern were made before they were closed. leaked documents show that children were said to have been badly mistreated, yet the regulator, 0fsted, continued to rate the homes as "good," and there'd been a0 separate alerts over three years. 0fsted's chief inspector says she's "deeply sorry," and the hesley group, which ran the homes, has also apologised. some of the

minister borisjohnson to the parliamentary standards watchdog over allegations that bbc chairman richard sharp helped him arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800,000. president zelensky says he'll keep asking western allies to send modern tanks to ukraine, after a meeting of more than 50 countries ended without agreement. millions of people around the world are preparing for the start of the lunar new year. you are watching bbc news. now... the lives she saved. she was just amazing. she had 26,000 followers. shows so much bravery, i think, to push through those really dark times. she had this persona of being extrovert and adventurous, whereas in reality, she was struggling. woman pants. sirens wail. 329, we need to get the west bank closed as a priority. never forget that day. obviously, that day was the lowest point of my life. beth touched the lives of so many. when somebody's willing to... ..think of others and to share their pain in such a raw manner and to be willing to think of others when you are at your lowest point, i think that takes a level of courage that, you know, frankly, m

and richard sharpe did get the job. bc has nothing to do with who appoints the chairman but the prime minister does. and he was at the time, i think, mr. sharpe regarded as somewhat of a shoo in so it looks a little murky let's but it looks very very murky to me i keep thinking of the word impartiality . well, you the word impartiality. well, you know, we've heard a lot of that from the bbc, but did it apply here? i don't know. now, the financial story , which is i have financial story, which is i have to say completely baffled me, is the nadhim zahawi story. he has said he was simply careless, not deliberate . who is careless when deliberate. who is careless when comes to tax? you know, when i went free, loved many , many went free, loved many, many years ago, i had some very good advice from a senior who'd been freelance for a long and looking after his own tax affairs. and he said, jenny, let me you one thing mess with anybody that never ever mess with the inland revenue , extraordinary thing is revenue, extraordinary

and the bbc chairman, richard sharp , bbc chairman, richard sharp, says he welcomes a review of the processound being appointed to the role by the commissioner of public appointments. that's after mr. sharp asked for a scrutiny panel to examine potential conflicts of interest following claims he was involved in securing a loan of up to £800,000 for boris johnson in he didn't make a loan or arrange any financing and only made an introduction to a guarantor. well also today, thousands of ambulance workers are striking for the third time in five weeks. unison and gmb union members across england wales walked out along with staff at two hospital trusts in liverpool . further industrial action is planned in the coming weeks by nurses and other nhs workers . nurses and other nhs workers. union leaders are calling for fair pay, accusing the government of not wanting to find a resolution . and as you've find a resolution. and as you've been hearing, households with smart metres could receive discounts if they cut their energy use for the second day in a row . 26 suppliers energy use for the second

richard sharp , of bbc and boris.p, of course, basically saying, well, as far as he's concerned, everything above board, everything above board, everything was done in the proper way. but in terms of roger mosey , instance, former roger mosey, instance, former head of bbc television news, sceptical as to whether richard sharp was the best candidate in terms his editorial journalistic and media experience . and that's and media experience. and that's what james cleverly was saying. well, you he was the best candidate for the job at the time. well, yes, but he has himself today , as bbc chairman, himself today, as bbc chairman, referred himself for and investigation, we understand he's considering speaking later this afternoon we will see whether he does but really he declare any potential conflict of interest. he's saying i just put two people in touch. i put bofis put two people in touch. i put boris johnson's distant cousin, sam blythe, in touch with cabinet secretary simon case and a alone has been robert chequers, a