SNP demands investigation into Boris Johnson rule-breaking allegations

The SNP says fresh allegations of rule breaking by Boris Johnson need to be investigated. 

The former Prime Minister's accused of getting help from the BBC Chairman securing a loan - weeks before he chose him for the job

Both men deny any wrongdoing.

But the SNP's demanded an independent inquiry into the circumstances and propriety of the £800,000 loan facility, reportedly arranged for Boris Johnson by BBC Chairman Richard Sharp. 

Kirsty Blackman MP said the existence of the facility, and the appointment of Richard Sharp to the £160,000 a year role as BBC chairman by Boris Johnson, "reeks of Tory sleaze" and raises serious questions for the Tory government and BBC Chairman. 

Commenting, SNP Cabinet Office spokesperson Kirsty Blackman MP said: "Reports by The Times, that Boris Johnson's favoured appointee as BBC Chairman was involved in arranging an £800,000 loan facility for the Prime Minister reeks of Tory sleaze. 

"The UK government must establish an independent inquiry to assess the circumstances of this loan, the propriety of the arrangement, the ethics of the appointment, and whether any rules were broken by Boris Johnson, the UK government or the BBC Chairman. 

"Many people will have serious concerns about the existence of this loan, the circumstances of arranging it, and the increasingly close relationship between the Tory government and senior management at the BBC.

"This murky arrangement stinks to high heaven." 

Labour has also reported Boris Johnson to the standards watchdog over what the party's called a "quagmire of sleaze". 

Shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden said: "I feel more than the individual cases, this is really corrosive to governance and government, there are big problems facing the country. 

"We need good government. I think it'd be a tragedy if the result of all this was for people to just simply turn away from politics and say, 'they're all a bunch of crooks and thieves'." 

Foreign secretary, James Cleverly has this morning defended Boris Johnson.

He says the appointment of the BBC chairman was made on his merits, and he has confidence Mr Sharp has all the right attributes for the role.

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC plays no role in the recruitment of the chair and any questions are a matter for the Government."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson also said: "Richard Sharp has never given any financial advice to Boris Johnson, nor has Mr Johnson sought any financial advice from him.

"There has never been any remuneration or compensation to Mr Sharp from Boris Johnson for this or any other service.

"All Mr Johnson's financial arrangements have been properly declared and registered on the advice of officials."

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