Absolute nonsense: Boris Johnson breaks silence over BBC chairmans role in loan row

Boris Johnson has claimed BBC chairman Richard Sharp has no knowledge of his personal finances amid reports he helped the former prime minister secure a loan.

Mr Sharp, who was appointed as BBC chairman while Mr Johnson was prime minister, was reportedly involved in arranging a guarantor on a loan of up to 800,000 for Mr Johnson in late 2020.

Speaking to Sky News on Monday morning, Mr Johnson said: This is a load of complete nonsense absolute nonsense.

Let me just tell you, Richard Sharp is a good and wise man but he knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances I can tell you that for 100% ding dang sure.

This is just another example of the BBC disappearing up its own fundament.

The former prime ministers comments come as BBC chairman Richard Sharp announced he requested a scrutiny panel to examine potential conflicts of interest over his role in helping Boris Johnson secure a loan.

In a statement reported by the BBC, Mr Sharp acknowledged distractions such as this are not welcome and said he had asked the nominations committee of the BBC board to look at the matter.