27.7 C
Accra
Friday, February 7, 2025
WorldGary Lineker shares his opinion on the resignation of BBC Chairman and...

Date:

Gary Lineker shares his opinion on the resignation of BBC Chairman and the government’s role

Richard Sharp‘s departure and the government’s role in selecting the BBC chairman have both been addressed by Gary Lineker.

The 62-year-old Match Of The Day host, who was fired by the network last month after sending out a tweet that prompted an argument about objectivity, has commented on Sharp’s dismissal.

He wrote on Twitter: “The current government should not choose the BBC chairman. Not now and never.

Following the row over the football pundit’s tweet, the BBC to launched an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.

Meanwhile, Lineker later returned to his Match Of The Day presenting role following a boycott in his defence by top on-air talent.

Sharp announced his resignation to ‘prioritise the interests’ of the BBC, while the former Goldman Sachs banker had faced accusations of arranging a loan of up to £800,000 for Boris Johnson before the then-prime minister backed him as the broadcaster’s boss.

He was announced as the government’s choice for the role in January 2021.

This morning, Adam Heppinstall KC’s 25-page report into the appointment of Mr Sharp as BBC Chairman found he ‘failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest’.

In response, Mr Sharp said he will remain in the role until the end of June while the search for a successor takes place.

He said: ‘Mr Heppinstall’s view is that while I did breach the governance code for public appointments, he states 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.’

A committee previously found that Sharp had made ‘significant errors of judgement’ and had not given the ‘full facts’ when applying for the job.

In a grilling by MPs, he had insisted his only role was as a ‘sort of introduction agency’ between his friend Sam Blyth – a Canadian businessman who is a distant cousin of Johnson – and the cabinet secretary Simon Case.

Labour had called for an investigation into Mr Sharp after allegations surfaced in The Sunday Times which claimed a dinner was held at Chequers before the loan was finalised.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono appointed as Acting GHPA boss

President John Dramani Mahama has named Brigadier General Paul...

42 ministers sworn-in by Mahama so far

President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in a...

Ghana’s Hajj quota increased by 1,000 pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has increased Ghana's Hajj pilgrimage quota from...

Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2025 ditches artificial hair enhancements

An African beauty pageant is breaking tradition to make...

Mahama swears in Ablakwa, Sam George, 15 others

President John Dramani is swearing in another set of...

I’m fair and neutral – Vetting Chaos Committee Chair to critics

Emmanuel Bedzrah, the head of the committee probing the...

Related stories

“I still consider it my biggest failure” – Bill Gates on life after divorce

Bill Gates is speaking candidly about his divorce from Melinda French...

Kanye West reclaims title as wealthiest rapper, surpassing JAY-Z

Kanye West has reportedly reclaimed the title of the...

Meta offers TikTokers $5,000 to join Facebook, Instagram

Social media giant Meta has offered to pay up...

About 1,600 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

President Donald Trump has issued pardons or commuted sentences...

LIVESTREAMING: Swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump

Today marks the beginning of Donald Trump's second term...

Inauguration Day schedule for Trump’s swearing-in ceremony today

Donald Trump will take the oath of office today...

WhatsApp to stop working on these devices in 2025

WhatsApp will soon cease supporting 18 Android models and...