BoE Governor Mark Carney on Rates
BoE Governor Mark Carney has been connected to the sacking of a Canadian politics talk show host who pocketed art deal fees. Reuters

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been named in documents claiming a prominent Canadian political talk show host used his position to inappropriately broker art deals.

The allegations were published in Canadian newspaper the Toronto Star on Tuesday. Soon afterwards national broadcaster the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) issued a statement saying it has "ended its relationship" with Evan Solomon, host of its political pundit show Power & Politics.

The newspaper's report was based on emails and draft contracts, which allegedly reveal Solomon used his position on the show to pocket fees after brokering deals between his guests, like Carney, then the governor of the Bank of Canada, and an art dealer.

Carney, who had been a guest of Solomon on CBC, left the Bank of Canada in 2014 to head the Bank of England.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing or impropriety on Mr Carney's part.

In the emails, one dating from 2014, The Star says Solomon used a code name for Carney, calling him "the Guv" after he appeared on his show.

Other well-known guests of Power & Politics for whom Solomon allegedly brokered deals include former BlackBerry founder Jim Balsillie.

Solomon is said to have taken commissions for these deals — one of which was worth over $300,000. It is claimed he did not report this to the CBC.

In emails from 2014 between Solomon and art seller Bruce Bailey, seen by The Star, the broadcaster allegedly said Carney would provide a conduit to a network of wealthy buyers, given his recent accession to the governorship of the Bank of England.

"He has access to highest power network in the world," Solomon reportedly wrote.

The emails show that last autumn Carney bought a painting by artist Kim Dorlan from Bailey for CA$22,500 (£11,875, €16,188, $18,344). The sale was made final last December.

The Bank of England told IBTimes UK that the "Governor has no enduring relationship with Mr. Solomon," and he doesn't comment about his personal life.

The last time the governor appeared on the CBC was in April last year to comment on the death of former Canadian finance minister Jim Flaherty with whom he worked very closely when the financial crisis hit in 2007-08.

The governor, officials said, was not aware of what Solomon was doing behind the scenes.

The Bank of England will be in the spotlight later today when Mr Carney is expected to announce tougher regulation for financial markets, which have been rocked by a string of scandals, at the black-tie Mansion House gathering of financiers in the City of London.