Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, told investigators that he could not remember the details of a key conversation with Richard Sharp, chairman of the BBC. Stefan Rousseau/PA
Simon Case, Cabinet Secretary, assured the BBC chairman that he was «on the side of the angels» just months before he was allegedly forced out by a loan to Boris Johnson.
Richard Sharp resigned from the corporation after a report found he violated public appointment rules by failing to disclose his involvement in facilitating a loan to the then prime minister.
Mr Case said of an investigation into this he could not remember the details of a key conversation with Mr Sharpe.
However, Mr Sharpe's friends insist that Mr Case tell the BBC chairman that he «didn't do anything bad» when he faced accusations that he was helping a financially struggling Mr. Johnson.
Allies. Mr Sharpe was insisted that he would still be in office had Mr Case backed up his version of events at a meeting in December 2020 — prior to his appointment as chairman of the BBC — at which he reported Cabinet Secretary for an offer of financial assistance. to Mr Johnson. The proposal was made by Sam Blyth, a Canadian businessman and a distant relative of Mr. Johnson.
Mr Sharpe said he believed at the time that he had opted out of any involvement, passing the details on to Mr Case.
The Telegraph reported that the couple also had a conversation in January of this year after how they were notified. that The Sunday Times planned to publish an article about Mr Sharpe's relationship with Mr Johnson.
Mr Sharpe's friend said: «Richard talked to Case in January and Case told him, 'You didn't do anything wrong.' . You are on the side of the angels.
The conversation was not aired in the course of an inquiry into Mr. Sharp's appointment conducted by Adam Heppinle KC. The report concluded that Mr. Sharp's failure to announce to the interview team that he had offered to help Mr. Johnson created a «perceived» conflict of interest.
Richard Sharpe's friends say the BBC chairman, who will retire in June, was a «political newcomer». Photo: AFP
The Telegraph also reviewed correspondence between a senior cabinet public relations official and Mr Sharp, which clearly indicates that Mr Sharp has decided not to engage in any future discussions with Mr Johnson about his finances and that Mr. Case approved this course. actions. The source said the report showed that Mr Case did not advise Mr Sharp to announce the discussions to the interview group.
A message sent by a senior government official to Mr Sharp reads: “Spoke to Simon. That's where we are. 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 he could not take part in discussions with the then Prime Minister, given the appointment process. This was taken by Mr Sharp to avoid any conflict or the appearance of any conflict of interest and the then Prime Minister was notified accordingly.”
Mr Sharp's friends say the BBC chairman, who will step down in June, was a 'political rookie' who was caught up in a scandal over allegations of meanness and nepotism leveled against Mr Johnson and his administration. . They argue that if Mr. Case had advised Mr. Sharp to fully disclose the information, he would have done so.
The Heppinstall report does not indicate that the appointment of Mr. Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker who was previously Rishi Sunak's boss at an investment bank, was a consequence of his participation in a loan guarantee received by Mr. Johnson. Mr. Heppustanov found that Mr. Sharp's involvement in the loan was «very limited».
At a meeting in December 2020, Mr. Sharp gave Mr. Blyth's number to Mr. Case before to recuse himself because of his claim that he applied for the chairmanship of the BBC. Mr. Case never spoke to Mr. Blyth, and the loan guarantee was secured in another way that has not been clarified. In February 2021, Mr. Johnson set up a credit line with a commercial bank, with Mr. Blythe acting as guarantor.
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A cabinet source said: “All the evidence is set out in the Commissioner's decision notification report. And, as the report makes clear, “applicants should declare any potential conflicts of interest in their application and at the interview.” Richard Sharp failed. Talking to other people is simply inappropriate.”
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