Katie Razzall

Pressure is growing on BBC chairman Richard Sharp to resign amid the Gary Lineker impartiality row.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the presenter's suspension " has shown failure at the top".

Mr Sharp's appointment is being. He denies wrongdoing.

But ex-BBC head Greg Dyke said the Sharp allegations had " helped fuel the perception" The Corporation bowed to government pressure on Lineker.

Fresh questions are being asked about Mr Sharp's position in light of presenter.

Mr Sharp is facing criticism for his role in facilitating an £800,000 loan for then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson .

An MPs' committee said Mr Sharp made " significant errors of judgement" in doing so while applying for The Bbc job. He insists he got The Job On Merit .

Mr Sharp has previously admitted The Affair had embarrassed The Bbc but insisted he had " acted in Good Faith to ensure that The Rules were followed".

Lineker's suspension for his criticism of the language used around the and likening its rhetoric to Nazi Germany triggered an impromptu walkout by Bbc Sport staff that has.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed saying the government had " systematically attacked and undermined the independence of our BBC" and that The Chairman 's position was " totally untenable".

" We need leadership at The Bbc that upholds our proud British values and can withstand today's consistently turbulent politics and Conservative bullying tactics" he added.

Mr Dyke, who led The Bbc between 2000 and 2004, said Lineker's suspension was a " mistake" and " undermined its own credibility".

The decision to suspend Lineker was signed off by director general Tim Davie who, unlike Mr Sharp, is not appointed by the government.

Mr Sharp has previously accepted he Set Up a meeting between the Cabinet Office and Sam Blyth, a Canadian multi-millionaire and distant cousin of Mr Johnson who had offered to help him financially.

The Cabinet Secretary Simon Case instructed Mr Sharp to have no further involvement in the loan discussions as it could raise conflict of interest issues in light of his BBC application.

Mr Sharp, who has insisted he got The Job On Merit , did not disclose his involvement in arranging The Meeting when he was vetted ahead of his appointment.

The Process is being investigated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments and The Bbc Board has said it will review his conflicts of interest without giving a timeline for when it will be completed.

BBC culture and media editor Katie Razzall makes The Point that the organisation has no say in The Chairman 's appointment and that as a board member, Mr Sharp does not have a say in editorial matters.

Mr Sharp was named as the government's preferred candidate for The Bbc chairmanship in January 2021 and at The Time The Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee backed his appointment.

The government's choice is ultimately decided by the Prime Minister , on the advice of the culture secretary, who is in turn advised by a panel.

The Chairman is in charge of upholding and protecting The Bbc 's independence and ensuring The Bbc fulfils its mission to inform, educate and entertain, among other things.

As he is appointed by the government, Mr Sharp can only be sacked by The Secretary of state or resign, he cannot be axed by The Bbc .

Prof Steven Barnett , professor of communications at the University of Westminster, told Bbc News he had supported Mr Sharp's appointment but now thought he should go.

" It is clear it is now a big question mark over the whole of The Bbc 's output and commitment to impartiality, " he says.

" His own position makes The Resolution of this problem almost impossible. If he can go and everything calms down a bit there can be a calm discussion about how these Social Media rules apply and who they apply. "

Downing Street previously said it was reserving judgement on Mr Sharp's appointment until investigations are completed.

Source of news: bbc.com