Next BBC chair faces tougher scrutiny over conflicts of interest

After the row that led to Richard Sharp's exit, a more rigorous selection process is now in place

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.