A LAWYER has been appointed to lead the investigation into the appointment of a friend of Boris Johnson's as BBC chairman.
William Shawcross, the public appointments commissioner, recused himself from the probe after announcing he had met Richard Sharp "on previous occasions".
The probe will look into whether the rules were properly followed after reports Sharp helped then-prime minister Johnson secure a loan of up to £800,000 shortly before being appointed to the BBC post.
The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments on Monday said it had appointed Adam Heppinstall KC to oversee its consideration of the public appointment process.
Last Monday, Shawcross said in a letter to the chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee: “As I have met Mr Sharp on previous occasions, I have decided to recuse myself from this particular investigation.
“I will be delegating my powers as commissioner under the 2019 Order in Council to an independent person who will be appointed by my office for this one investigation.
“They will have sole responsibility and will be supported by my officials.”
Shawcross, who was recommended by Johnson in his role as commissioner for public appointments, is also the father of Eleanor Shawcross, head of No 10’s policy unit.
Sharp is due to be grilled by MPs on the DCMS Committee on Tuesday over evidence he gave at a pre-appointment hearing.
The former banker had already been facing calls to stand down after it emerged that, in late 2020, he introduced Sam Blyth to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to discuss whether Blyth, a distant cousin of Johnson whom Sharp has known for more than 40 years, could act as a guarantor for a loan for the then-prime minister.
Sharp previously said his selection process was done “by the book” and he will remain in place.
A spokesman for the former prime minister said Sharp has “never given any financial advice to Boris Johnson, nor has Mr Johnson sought any financial advice from him”.
