BBC chair appointed on merits rather than Boris Johnson ties, claims Cleverly

The BBC chairman Richard Sharp was appointed on merit, foreign secretary James Cleverly has insisted after claims that the broadcasters chief helped arrange talks which led to a 800,000 line of credit for the former PM.

Labour is calling for an investigation into reports that Mr Sharp was involved in talked which led to the huge credit facility weeks before he was recommended for the BBC job by the then-prime minister.

The party has written to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards following a report in the Sunday Times that Mr Sharp a Tory donor introduced multimillionaire Canadian Sam Blyth to the cabinet secretary Simon Case.

Mr Johnson, Mr Sharp and Mr Blyth then had dinner at Chequers before the credit line, guaranteed by the Canadian, was finalised though they denied the PMs finances were discussed.

Mr Cleverly described Mr Sharp as incredibly competent, experienced, thoughtful individual, telling Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday: I can see exactly why he has the attributes, both personal, professional, to be the chair of the BBC So, as far as I can see, his appointment was made on those merits.