Next BBC chair faces tougher scrutiny over conflicts of interest

Richard Sharp was forced to step down as BBC chair after a row over his role in a secret loan to former prime minister Boris Johnson. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

Candidates for the top job at the BBC will be subject to greater scrutiny than ever in an effort to avoid a repeat of the conflict of interest row that led to its chair Richard Sharp resigning in April, the Observer has learned.

Sharp left after failing to declare a connection to a secret £800,000 loan for ex-prime minister Boris Johnson.