MPs call on BBC boss to explain Boris loan role

BBC chairman Richard sharp has been summoned by MPs to explain why he did not tell them about his alleged role in Boris Johnson’s finances.

He did not disclose any involvement in helping the then-prime minister obtain a personal loan in his pre-appointment hearing before the Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee.

Mr sharp is said to have agreed to help with Mr Johnson’s finances after a dinner with him and the thenPM’s distant cousin sam Blyth, a multimillionaire who had offered to act as a guarantor for a credit facility of up to £800,000.

Yesterday the £160,000-a-year BBC boss, pictured, told BBC News he was ‘comfortable’ with the way the process had been carried out.

‘Having had a discussion with the Cabinet secretary about avoiding conflict, and the perception of conflict, I felt comfortable and I still feel there was no conflict because at that stage what I was seeking to do was ensure that the process was followed exactly by the book,’ he said.