mr sharp has denied any conflict of interest.an for mrjohnson said he had never sought or received any financial advice from richard sharp. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. as chairman of the bbc, richard sharp is responsible for upholding and protecting the broadcaster's independence. he was appointed injanuary 2021 by then prime minister borisjohnson and the culture secretary at the time. the sunday times reports that before that, mr sharp had helped borisjohnson get access to a loan of up to £800,000 by putting a wealthy distant relative of the former prime minister, sam blythe, in touch with the most senior government official, cabinet secretary simon case. the report claims he did not declare this during his application to the bbc, but in a statement, mr sharp denied any conflict of interest, saying... this morning, the foreign secretary defended richard sharp's appointment. i know that he is an incredibly accomplished, incredibly successful individual who brings a wealth of experience with him. that is wh

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

mr sharp discussed this _ businessman sam blind.iscussed 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 cabinet office spokesperson said mr sharp had asked simon case on advice 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, that is why me was appointed to che man ship of the bbc, but i have not had a chance to d

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

defended richard sharp's appointment.s 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've not had a 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. i'm asking if you think it's appropriate that 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

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.

i have no reason at all to doubt richard sharp's integrity. of our public institutions, everything has to be crystal clear and transparent, and it does not mean, of course, that there was a conflict of interest, but the appearance of a conflict of interest is what is important. richard sharp, often the public face of the bbc, denies arranging any loan and says all he did was facilitate contact with between a businessman, sam blyth, who wanted to help boris johnson financially, and the head of the cabinet office. he e—mailed bbc staff today, saying, i was not involved in making a loan or arranging a guarantee, and i did notarrange any financing. what i did do was to seek an introduction of sam blyth to the relevant official in government. i also reminded the cabinet secretary that i had submitted my application for the position of bbc chairman. we both agreed to avoid any conflict that i should have nothing further to do with the matter. we then asked them if there's anything else they haven't declared... today at the public accounts committee,

no mention was made of mr sharp support of the tory party or- sharp support of the tory party or indeedn he had made to the tory party. if this is to be the bbc�*s policy to identify the political allegiance of everyone appearing in the programme this policy should apply to everyone. we ut policy should apply to everyone. we put those points to bbc news and they told us... the bbc chairman richard sharp gave an interview on tuesday to the corporations owned media editor. it came two days after 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

richard sharp is absolute nonsense.nsense are the words he has been using over - dang sure. rubbish and nonsense are the words he has been using over the weekend. borisjohnson was in ukraine yesterday but he has been saying this is rubbish and nonsense and clearly that is on the same page as what richard sharp is saying, this is a nonstory in their view. thank you. thousands of ambulance workers in england and wales are back on strike today in a dispute over pay. paramedics, control room staff and support workers from three unions are taking part in the latest round of industrial action. our business correspondent, marc ashdown, reports. yet again, ambulance workers are taking to the picket line. several thousand members of three unions are walking out today, mainly in the midlands, north of england and wales. london and the south—west are also affected. for specialist paramedic tom, it�*s a frustrating time. he�*s been in thejob for six years and loves it, but says the past six months have been increasingly challenging

and the reality is there is simply a sharp divide among - simply a sharp divide among americans?ng shows that actually — americans? yes, well, polling shows that actually a _ americans? yes, well, polling shows that actually a significant _ americans? yes, well, polling shows that actually a significant majority . that actually a significant majority of americans favour abortion rights in some fashion, over 60% or so, but, it is a very sharply divided political issue, with most elected republicans being firmly anti—abortion, most elected democrats being in favour of abortion rights so it has become a real political battleground, it has been for decades but as soon as the supreme court overturned that ruling and did away the constitutional right to an abortion it became a sharp focus of one of the most divisive political arguments in america. ., ., , , �*, america. often what alters people's mind is where _ america. often what alters people's mind is where we _ america. often what alters people's mind is where we see _ america. often what alters people's mind is where we see indiv

sharp's integrity. problem is the manner of the employee -- appointment. at a time when the public is alarmingly lacking in trust of our public institutions, everything has to be crystal ear and transparent. it does not mean, of course, yet there was a conflict interest, but an appearance of conflict of interest is what is important. >> richard sharp, often the public face of the bbc, says all he did was facilitate contact betw a businessman who wanted to help boris johnson financially and the head of the cabinet office. he email bbc staff today saying i was not involved in making a loan or arranging guarantee and i did not arrange any financing. what i did do was seek an introduction of samba life to the relevant official in government. i also remind the cabinet secretary that i submitted my application for bbc chairman. to avoid any conflict, we agreed i should have nothing further to do with the matter. john nicholson is a member of the select committee which approved richardharp's improvement two ye

mr sharp about hisi talking to mr sharp about his finances _ talking to mr sharp about his finances.pointment was to go to the right honourable _ applying. the appointment was to go to the right honourable member- to the right honourable member friend. _ to the right honourable member friend. the — to the right honourable member friend, the tory— to the right honourable member friend, the tory donor. - to the right honourable member friend, the tory donor. even - to the right honourable member friend, the tory donor. even byi to the right honourable member. friend, the tory donor. even by the grubby— friend, the tory donor. even by the grubby standards _ friend, the tory donor. even by the grubby standards of _ friend, the tory donor. even by the grubby standards of this _ friend, the tory donor. even by the i grubby standards of this government, it is all— grubby standards of this government, it is all a _ grubby standards of this government, it is all a bit— grubby standards of this government, it is all a bit banana _ grubby standards of this government, it is all a bit banana rep

he asked his friend richard sharp had to go about it.th 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 wou

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

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

in october 2020, applications closed in the following month, sharpe dined with a friend of his, a manasa his, a man by the name of sam was a foreign citizen in the distant cousin of borisjohnson who was interested in the idea of helping underwrite the then prime minister's lifestyle. johnson had a lot of difficulty relating to those payments and childcare costs and sharp actually volunteered to help, he introduced the idea to assignment case, he actually went to see simon, the cabinet secretary in the nation's top official in downing street and they discuss the matter and he brokered the introduction and brief the prime minister and it was in november, it was in november 2020 or early december the meeting occurred and the cabinet office and team the internal watchdog for ministerial conduct in whitehall produced a formal letter tojohnson whitehall produced a formal letter to johnson expressly stating that they had to stop discussing and soliciting advice from sharp in respect of his private financial matters. stayed with us, we had reaction to the prime minister and read outcome of th

named mr sharp for the bbc role. 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 sharp says, read about mrjohnson�*s financial problems in the news and wanted to help. so in late 2020, mr sharp connected sam blyth with the head of the civil service simon case for advice on the

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

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

what is your view on richard sharp's position on?on?— position on? i was not in the chamber— position on? i was not in the chamber as _ position on? i was not in the chamber as i _ position on? i was not in the chamber as i was _ position on? i was not in the chamber as i was on - position on? i was not in the chamber as i was on the - position on? i was not in the - chamber as i was on the discussion fair select committee where we had the ministerfrom fair select committee where we had the minister from the cms speaking to us and asked her about the process of appointing richard sharp and she said that was followed to the letter. indeed the if there has been a conflict of interest it has not been declared. that is something that needs to be looked at and indeed as i mentioned, you did too, there are two reviews and we will look at that and i think it is important that a take place speedily and report speedily.— thank you so much forjoining us. let's return to the news of nadhim zahawi in the independent investigator being brought in

“twat was a meal featuring johnson and on the loan and sharp, how to checkers, the loan and sharp, howsters 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 acknowledged that he introduced johnson possible as guarantor, the man wonder road a six figure financials facility, he didn't introduce them to the case

it tells him to, quote, "no longer" ask for advice on his financial affairs from mr sharp.vice 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 adviser in any way to borisjohnson. he is, of course, a former banker. borisjohnson�*s spokesman is also saying he neither sought nor received any financial advice from mr sharp. as to t

there are questions for sharp.se conflicts of interest. so you ask what the reaction is tonight? it is inevitably focusing on the former prime minister. lucy powell, the shadow culture secretary, the party was referred to the parliamentary watchdog and she tweeted a few moments ago the revelations undermined public confidence in the bbc and its reputation for neutrality and impartiality. so there are kind of obvious questions, not only for the political establishment, the civil service, the prime minister, also the chairman and again, for the sake of fairness, which i am sure you will in due course read this out anyway, but sharp's position, he has acknowledged he introduced johnson's guarantor, the man who underwrote his 6—figure financialfacility, that's sam blyth, he introduced him to simon case, he said that on the record but as for the application process, he says there were no interest to declare and said his activities went no further. so his position is straightforward in that respect. he says there was no

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

i have no reason at all to doubt richard sharp's integrity.ing has to be crystal clear and transparent, and it does not mean, of course, that there was a conflict of interest, but the appearance of a conflict of interest is what is important. richard sharp, often the public face of the bbc, says all he did was facilitate contact with between a businessman, sam blyth, who wanted to help borisjohnson financially, and the head of the cabinet office. he e—mailed bbc staff today, saying, i was not involved in making a loan or arranging a guarantee, and i did notarrange any financing. what i did do was to seek an introduction of sam blyth to the relevant official in government. i also reminded the cabinet secretary that i had submitted my application for the position of bbc chairman. we both agreed to avoid any conflict that i should have nothing further to do with the matter. john nicolson is a member of the select committee which approved richard sharp's appointment two years ago. i am certainly of the view that richard sharp, the bbc chair, shoul

mr sharp became chair injanuary 202i.an this story, in effect, last week, but what they have done this week is published a leaked memo from the cabinet office, the people who advise the prime minister on propriety and ethics. that memo comes from december 2020, so it was a couple of weeks before the announcement of richard sharp as the bbc chairman, and it is offering strong advice to the then prime minister boris johnson. it tells him to "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 arrang

richard sharp properly said should be - sharp properly said should be involved — sharp properly said, him and... we would be delighted to have simon — him and... we would be delighted to have simon case, _ him and... we would be delighted to have simon case, or _ him and... we would be delighted to have simon case, or even _ him and... we would be delighted to have simon case, or even boris - have simon case, or even boris johnson, in the studio any sunday morning the fancy coming along. even during the week we will be happy to film an interview with the man played for all of you. do you think this matters? again, it is a thing with the conservative party, whatever the specific rights and wrongs of these individual stories, and there are technical and legal difficulties involved, and people have denied there was anything wrong, but again, people are hearing about what sounds like things that are fairly sniff test for the conservative party, and wasn't rishi sunak�*s government meant to draw line under that? it is sunak's government meant to draw line under that?— line under that? it

following the leaking of this memo, mr sharp's position has not changed.ay, a former banker. borisjohnson's spokesperson also saying he never sought nor received any financial advice from mr sharp. as for the cabinet office themselves, where this leak originated, they are refusing to comment.- this leak originated, they are refusing to comment. what has been said about sam _ refusing to comment. what has been said about sam blythe _ refusing to comment. what has been said about sam blythe and _ refusing to comment. what has been said about sam blythe and his - said about sam blythe and his role at the british council? b, said about sam blythe and his role at the british council?— at the british council? a very wealthy canadian _ at the british council? a very i wealthy canadian businessman, interestingly, interest in different countries will be same time these discussions are going on about the abc -- bbc —— bbc chairman schiff... an offshoot of the foreign office, he was on the shortlist for running it. he later wrote hymns about that position and did i m

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

- yes. - sharp, $800.at's a thorn, in the paw of a lion, in fact. - cris. - hodgepourripodge, $400. - andrew. - what are skittles? - good. - hodge for $200. zack. what is the empire state building? you are correct. let's go the rest, as they say... for $400. - andrew. - what's rot? no. zack. - what is stink? - more specifically? smell? - smell bad? - no, i'm sorry. [beep] the famous saying is that specifically, they begin to smell after three days. that's the shelf life of houseguests. - zack. - looking sharp! for $400. - andrew. - what's gillette? - that's right. - $600, sharp. - cris. - what is a paper cut? - yes. - the rest, $1,000. zack. what is "never the two... the twain shall meet? what is "never the twain shall meet"? no, i'm sorry. cris or andrew? [beep] it's a different saying. "east or west, home is best." - cris, two clues remain. - the rest, $800. - cris. - what are mice and men? - that's right. - hodge for $800. here's the final clue in hodgepourripodge. - zack. - who is henry kissinger? yes,

mr sharp is also a close friend of the former prime minister boris johnson.f 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 sharp says, read about mrjohnson�*s financial problems in the news and wanted to help. so in late 2020, mr sharp connected sam blyth with the head of the civil service, simon case, for advice on the rules. mr sharp says he agreed not to be involved any further to prevent a conflict of interest. he'd already applied for the job of bbc chairman, and a few weeks later was announced as the government's choice. he says he did nothing wrong. he says the three friends all had dinner at chequers, the prime minister's country residence, later that year, after he'd got the job, but describes this as a "social meeting." and mrjohnson�*s financial affairs were not discussed. during the process, candidates were askedif during the process, candidates were asked if i could be anything that could embarrass the gove

sharp unceasing if i conflict west bank the issue with richard sharp unceasing if there | conflict weste centre of the matter. the issue is after that as others in the process, should they have known about the? and advisory panel knew nothing about it on the commons media select committee has an official process as part of the appointment process of the bbc chairman, they knew nothing about it, and are certainly going to be asking questions about it when he next appears in front of them. there is people involved in the process you want to know more about this. was there a conflict of interest and also the secondary question about perception of conflict—of—interest stop both of which richard sharp says no to. was also questioned about another issue, which is the chairman these days in the past had a bit more of a hands—off role, where there are essentially to mark the bbc�*s homework. now the bbc chairman is in charge of the board, running the bbc in many ways, providing strategy for bbc, and should he have been involved in the decision about appointing a head of news? he was asked point

mr sharp told us there was not a conflict. with the cabinet secretary, mystery case, and had no further involvement whatsoever. a spokesman for borisjohnson dismissed the claims as rubbish and said mr sharp had never given any financial advice to mrjohnson and alljohnson�*s financial arrangements had been properly declared and registered on advice of officials. a spokesman for the bbc said the corporation plays no role in the recruitment of the chair and any questions were a matter for the government. we have asked the cabinet office for comment but they have yet to respond. thanks to helen catt for that. it's the lunar new year on monday, also known as the spring festival or chinese new year. a traditional part of celebrations is the processional dragon, and we can introduce you to one of them, loong, who happens to be in australia. it's more than 120 years old and has just been given a painstaking makeover. we can hear more about loong from the conservation team leader, dr hollyjones—amin, who joins us from melbourne. hello

mr sharp says there wasn't one, as he'd just connected the two men.said mr sharp had asked simon case for advice on it all. they agreed that he could not take part in discussions involving the then—prime minister, and this was accepted by mr sharp, to avoid any conflict or appearance of any conflict of interest. i know that 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've not had a chance to discuss any of the issues that were brought up today, but i have absolutely no doubt he was appointed on merit. this isn't the first time i've applied... as a long—time conservative donor, mr sharp's appointment was questioned at the time by mps. i'm asking if you think it's appropriate that 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. first of all, i think that's an entirely legitimate question to ask. well, thank you. and the answer — then the

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 i