BBC President ‘helps you get the role’ of a consulting group on standards
The struggling BBC president, Richard Sharp, is said to have helped his close friend land a paid advisory role to the corporation on its editorial standards.
According to the Sunday Times, Sharp has nominated Caroline Daniel, public relations executive and former editor of FT Weekend, for a position in the wake of the Martin Bashir scandal.
He was the opener to her wedding to former Emmerdale actor Christopher Villiers in 2019 – with whom he is also very close, the newspaper reported.
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BBC President Richard Sharp appears before the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (House of Commons)
Mr Sharp, who is facing pressure to step down because of the circumstances surrounding his own appointment, is said to have introduced Ms Daniel to the BBC’s senior independent director who gave her the job.
According to the paper, the appointment made others feel she had been “cuckolded” into the role, paid £15,000 a year for around 15 days of work.
The former Goldman Sachs banker, 67, is then said to have picked her for second place last June as an outside editorial adviser to the group without making her personal relationship public. their personnel.
According to the Sunday Times, he did not withdraw from discussions about his appointment at the BBC’s nomination committee chaired by him, or highlight the friendship in a statement of personal interest.
The newspaper reported that Ms Daniel had claimed the relationship was “fully disclosed to the relevant BBC executives at the time” – an account backed by the consortium – who is said to be is including general manager Tim Davie.
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BBC Broadcaster (Ian West/PA)
She said: “The relationship with Richard Sharp was fully disclosed to the relevant BBC executives at the time, in accordance with the BBC’s request.
Ms. Daniel, 51, was appointed to help review editorial standards that came after a damning report of Bashir’s Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995.
Among others supporting the review, led by BBC senior independent director Sir Nicholas Serota, were non-executive directors Sir Robbie Gibb and Ian Hargreaves.
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Photographers surround Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker (James Manning/PA)
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A source close to the Serota review told the newspaper: “Others were uncomfortable about their relationship – they felt she was being pinched while taking the review. Still, it’s helpful to have her point of view.
The BBC has created two “editorial advisor” positions for outside experts to provide guidance on journalistic standards after the review process.
The report will put more pressure on Mr Sharp, who has been embroiled in a cronyism controversy for helping former prime minister Boris Johnson secure a £800,000 loan in recent months.
An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding his appointment, which has been controversial following previous contributions he has made to the Conservative Party.
We are completely satisfied that all processes and procedures have been fully followedBBC spokesman
He faces new scrutiny as his position is questioned amid backlash against the BBC’s decision to remove sports presenter Gary Lineker for language comparisons used to kick off the Government’s new asylum policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet.
MPs criticized him for his actions “violating the standards that individuals expect” that apply to well-known public appointments and found he had made “serious errors of judgment”. in a report between the parties last month.
The president can only be removed by the Government – not the BBC – and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly refused to defend Mr Sharp, citing an ongoing investigation.
The BBC said it was “absolutely satisfied” that its processes were fully followed.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Following the completion of the Serota Review into its editorial, governance and cultural processes in October 2021 – and in line with the recommendations in the review – the BBC has appointed two experts. external, independent editor to advise on the Editorial Guidelines of the BBC Council and the Standards Committee.
“These roles have been officially advertised to the outside and are open to anyone who applies. The appointment process is overseen by the Nominations Committee, in accordance with BBC rules, and appointments are approved by the full BBC Council.
“This process clearly sets out the independence expectations required for the role and it includes full disclosure of any relevant conflicts of interest. We are completely satisfied that all processes and procedures have been fully followed.”
Mr Sharp has been contacted for comment.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/bbc-chairman-helped-friend-get-role-advising-corporation-on-standards-42393818.html BBC President ‘helps you get the role’ of a consulting group on standards