BBC chairman Richard Sharp resigns:::::: Pakistan faces veiled attack: "Top most" task for SCO should be to eradicate terror, says Rajnath

 Pakistan faces veiled attack: "Top most" task for SCO should be to eradicate terror, says Rajnath 

Nirendra Dev 

New Delhi 

Pakistan, which is a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), came underveiled attack by India on Friday at an important high table discussion. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called upon the SCO member states to collectively work towards eliminating terrorism in all its forms and fix accountability on those who aid or fund such activities.This should be "top most priority",  the Defence Minister asserted.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif skipped the key meeting of SCO countries' Defence Ministers hosted by India.  

Addressing the Defence Ministers of SCO member countries here, Mr Rajnath Singh asserted that terrorist acts or support to terrorist activities is a crime against humanity and peace cannot coexist with this menace. He expressed concern over the radicalization of youth terming it a major security challenge and obstacle in the path of socio-economic progress of society. 

“If we want to make the SCO a stronger and more credible international organisation, our top-most priority should be to effectively deal with terrorism,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

“If a nation shelters terrorists, it not only poses a threat to others, but for itself too,” the Minister said, adding that radicalisation of youth is a cause for concern not only from the point of view of security, but it is also a major obstacle in the path of socio-economic progress of society.

At the end of the deliberations, all the SCO member countries signed a protocol, expressing their collective will 

to make the region secure, peaceful and prosperous.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said, all the member nations arrived at a consensus on several areas of cooperation including dealing with terrorism, security of vulnerable populations in various countries as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. 

The Minister described the SCO as an evolved and strong regional organisation, underlining that India views it as an important entity to promote defence cooperation among member states. He urged the member states to take forward the age-old cultural and civilisational linkages in line with changing times, emphasising that the ties have enriched the countries economically and culturally for centuries. He called for a secure, stable and prosperous region that helps in improving the quality of life of the people of each member nation.

Importantly, Defence Ministers of China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan attended the meeting.

Needless to add, Pakistan is often referred to as the epicentre of terrorism. It is also part of the SCO grouping and Malik Ahmad Khan, who is Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Defence, addressed the meet virtually. 

“All member states were unanimous in their statements that terrorism, in all its forms, must be condemned and eliminated,” Indian Defence Secretary Aramane said, exuding confidence that areas identified for cooperation will be acted upon in the times to come and India, as the SCO chair, will play a pivotal role.

 Interestingly, though Asif skipped the meet on Friday, Pakistan has announced that its foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto would attend the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa. 

Rajnath meets Russian counterpart:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart General Sergei K Shoigu on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting. 

Both the leaders discussed wide-ranging issues of bilateral defence cooperation, including military-to-military ties as well as industrial partnership.

They also discussed the Russian defence industry’s participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiatives and ways to provide further impetus to it.

ends 

BBC chairman Richard Sharp resigns over Boris Johnson loan row

New Delhi 

BBC chairman Richard Sharp has resigned after a report found he did not disclose 'potential perceived conflicts' of interest during his appointment.

The report looked at whether he was transparent about his involvement in the facilitation of a loan to Boris Johnson.

Mr Sharp apologised, saying he did not want to be a distraction for the BBC, says a report run by the website of the popular broadcasting house. 

The report, by barrister Adam Heppinstall, published on Friday found that Sharp had failed to disclose two potential perceived conflicts of interest: first, by telling Mr Johnson he wanted to apply for the BBC role before doing so; and second, by telling the Prime Minister he intended to set up a meeting between Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, and Sam Blyth, a distant cousin of Mr Johnson.

The report notes that Mr Sharp does not accept the first conclusion, but he has apologised for the second.

Sharp called the breach of public appointment rules "inadvertent and not material".

Mr Sharp has previously accepted that he arranged a meeting between the country's most senior civil servant Simon Case and Sam Blyth over financial assistance to the then PM in late 2020.

At the time of that meeting, Mr Sharp, an ex-investment banker and Conservative Party donor, had already applied for the senior BBC job.

The investigation was set up by the Commissioner of Public Appointments to investigate claims which first appeared in the Sunday Times.

The report found "there is a risk of a perception that Mr Sharp was recommended for appointment" because he sought to assist the PM in a private financial matter "and/or that he influenced the former Prime Minister to recommend him by informing him of his application before he submitted it".

The report did not make a judgement "on whether Mr Sharp had any intention of seeking to influence the former Prime Minister in this manner".

Confirming his resignation, Mr Sharp said the report found "that while I did breach the governance code for public appointments, he (Heppinstall) states that a breach does not necessarily invalidate an appointment".

Mr Sharp said the report finds he did not play "any part whatsoever in the facilitation, arrangement, or financing of a loan for the former Prime Minister".

In a statement, Mr Sharp said he did not want to be a "distraction", adding that it had been an honour to chair the BBC.

He will remain in post until June until a successor is appointed.

Mr Sharp's position came under further scrutiny in March following Gary Lineker's suspension over a tweet criticising government asylum policy, a decision which triggered a wider row about BBC impartiality.

Critics of the BBC's handling of the issue contrasted Lineker's suspension with how allegations against Mr Sharp were dealt with, pointing out the chairman was able to remain in post despite ongoing investigations.

In a statement, Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC, said: "On behalf of the BBC Executive, I would like to thank Richard for his service to the BBC and the drive and intellect he brought to his time as Chairman. Working with him over the last two years has been rewarding and Richard has made a significant contribution to the transformation and success of the BBC.

"The focus for all of us at the BBC is continuing the hard work to ensure we deliver for audiences, both now and in the future", he said.

Sharp worked at JP Morgan  for eight years, and then for 23 years at  Goldman Sachs.

Sharp had come under criticism and scrutiny  for helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan during his tenure as Prime Minister and for not disclosing this during the appointment process at the BBC. 

Interestingly he used to be the boss of the current UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak at Goldman Sachs. He has donated more than £400,000 to the Conservative Party.

Before coming to the BBC, Sharp served as chairman of the Royal Academy of Arts  (2007–2012) and as a member of the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committe between2013–2019.

Commentators had observed that his relationship with Rishi Sunak would probably help him to lead negotiations with the government over the future of the BBC's licence fee. Richard Sharp was born on 8 February 1956, to a Jewish family in London.