Dinner with Boris Johnson had to 'beat for the BBC', says president

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BBC chairman Richard Sharp said he only went to dinner at Checkers with Boris Johnson to "beat" on behalf of the broadcaster, as he again denied any conflict of interest.

Mr. Sharp said he believed his selection process had been carried out "properly" following claims he helped the then prime minister secure a loan of up to £800,000. £.

The chairman has faced calls to step down after it emerged that at the end of 2020 he introduced billionaire Sam Blyth to cabinet secretary Simon Case to discuss whether the billionaire could act as a guarantor for the line of credit.

But Mr Sharp insisted he would stay put and was 'confident' he had got the job on merit rather than patronage in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday.

On Monday, Public Appointments Commissioner William Shawcross announced he would investigate Mr Sharp's appointment as chairman from the BBC in February 2021 to ensure it was done "fairly" and "on merit".

When asked if i He was to stand down pending the investigation, Mr. Sharp replied, "No, I'm sure he will determine that I was appointed on merit. It is obviously up to him to lead this investigation and this process."

Mr Sharp said he had contacted the Cabinet Secretary to discuss an offer of financial assistance from a " old friend" made for Mr Johnson, before stepping back from further discussion.

"I had clarified and agreed with the Cabinet Secretary, we both had the judgment I had avoided a conflict or a perception of conflict," he said.

< p>Mr Sharp confirmed he had dinner with Mr Blyth and Mr Johnson at the Prime Minister's campaign retreat of the time, Checkers, in May 2021, after being confirmed as the government's choice for the role of the BBC.

Asked how this meeting took place, he said: "Sam came see me and said, 'Do you want to come to Checkers? I'm going down to dinner with Al' [short for Mr. Johnson's first name, Alexander].

"I said, 'Yeah, Great" ; I had never been to Checkers and Sam knocked me off and we had dinner and I took the opportunity to defend the BBC.

The BBC chairman also said the loan arrangement was not brought up at the Prime Minister's dinner.