Gary Lineker tweet

The Match of the Day host said he stands by his tweet that criticised the government's asylum policy.

Responding to a question in the Commons Ms Frazer said: "As somebody whose grandmother escaped Nazi Germany in the 1930s I think it's really disappointing and inappropriate to compare government policy on immigration... Mr Ayre, a former member of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom's content board, said it was "unacceptable" to have someone who works for the BBC "comparing Suella Braverman to the third Reich". "The BBC is operationally independent and I'm pleased the BBC will be speaking to Gary Lineker to remind him of his responsibilities in relation to social media." Lucy Frazer said it was "important for the BBC to retain impartiality if it is to retain the trust of the public who pay the licence fee". The BBC said on Wednesday it was having a "frank conversation" with Lineker about the BBC's guidelines on remaining impartial. Lineker had compared the language the government used to set out asylum plans to "that used by Germany in the 30s".

The presenter has the right to air his views, but it will harm the corporation he loves, says broadcaster and former BBC executive Roger Bolton.

[Richard Sharp](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/feb/12/bbc-chairman-richard-sharp-breached-standards-johnson-loan) has not yet resigned as BBC chair in the light of the clear conflicts of interest the revelations about [Boris Johnson’s finances](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/28/boris-johnson-asked-to-stop-seeking-richard-sharps-advice-on-finances-reports-say) have revealed. First that the country is deeply divided, second that the present government is determined to make this a key election issue and third that in the short term at least the numbers will not drop significantly. There are plenty of politicians and papers who will ignore the facts or claim the corporation is guilty of biased reporting, and they may, almost certainly will, point to Lineker’s tweets as evidence of this. Bluntly, because the future of the BBC is at stake, and that is more important in the long term than his undoubted right to tweet. As such, he has a personal responsibility not to do anything that may bring the BBC into disrepute, and one of the BBC’s most precious characteristics is its impartiality. Gary Lineker is a brilliant presenter, and by all accounts a good man who cares deeply about the underdog.

Gary Lineker's criticism of the government's migrant policy have led to calls for him to be sacked from the BBC - but it's not the first time he's got in ...

Under the BBC's social media rules, criticising colleagues is off-limits. If you can't abide it, get off it." Thanks." Sky News looks at some of his controversies, according to the broadcaster's impartiality rules. He tweeted: "Gary. Please observe BBC editorial guidelines and keep your political views, whatever they are and whatever the subject, to yourself. [ suggested LGBT football fans should be "respectful" of Qata](https://news.sky.com/story/foreign-secretary-james-cleverly-criticised-for-saying-lgbt-football-fans-should-respect-qatar-12730610) [r](https://news.sky.com/story/foreign-secretary-james-cleverly-criticised-for-saying-lgbt-football-fans-should-respect-qatar-12730610), where homosexuality is illegal, if they visited for the World Cup. The ECU said Lineker was "one of the BBC's highest profile stars" and said while not being required to uphold the same high standards of impartiality as its journalists, he had an "additional responsibility" because of his profile. You are the face of BBC Sport. [Gary Lineker](https://news.sky.com/topic/gary-lineker-7610) signed a five-year deal with the BBC in 2020, under which he [agreed to adhere to their updated impartiality rules](https://news.sky.com/story/gary-lineker-to-adhere-to-new-bbc-impartiality-rules-after-signing-fresh-five-year-deal-12072460). [Lineker commented on a video of Suella Braverman](https://news.sky.com/story/gary-lineker-lineker-will-be-spoken-to-by-bbc-after-appearing-to-compare-migrant-policy-to-nazi-germany-12828462) unveiling [the government's plans to stop migrants](https://news.sky.com/story/annual-cap-on-migrants-entering-through-safe-routes-unveiled-and-small-boat-migrants-to-be-removed-swiftly-under-new-bill-12827855) crossing the Channel on small boats and saying the UK is being "overwhelmed". As well voicing as his Brexit opinions, he bemoaned "the absolute state of our politics", saying "imagine how hopeless you'd have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls".

A DUP MP has weighed into the row over Gary Lineker's criticism of the Government's immigration policy, calling for “lefty Lineker” to be paid around £1.3m ...

well, we chat often.” Replying to the unionist politician, Ms Frazer replied: “I think I made my views on this subject clear. Asked if he has spoken to the director-general, he said, after a pause, “Yeah”, before adding: “He said…

The BBC have stood Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match of the Day after a tweet of his sparked a row with the Conversative government, ...

Others called for a total boycott of Match of the Day by regular presenters and pundits until Lineker is reinstated. Lineker is said to be unwilling to apologise for his tweets and admit he should not have posted them. The BBC should rethink.” One fan replied to confirmation of the news by simply writing: "Pathetic." A spokesperson said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. A third said: "This Gary Lineker story has gone absolutely nuts for no reason. Solidarity." Another added: "@alanshearer Alan pal, please show solidarity and don't do MOTD this week either." We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. “When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. The huge job losses in 2005 were dreadful, obviously. The former England striker compared the policy to that seen in 1930s Germany, when the Nazi party was at its height.

On Thursday, Gary Lineker tweeted that he was not receiving any punishment or suspension, and he was glad that the exaggerated story, regarding his remarks, ...

The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). However, a BBC insider revealed to The [Guardian](/topic/guardian)that while senior managers have spoken with Lineker about the matter, no decision has been made regarding any potential course of action after his tweets. BBC bosses reportedly plan to have a candid discussion with Lineker about the corporation's policies on impartiality on social media. When asked by reporters on Thursday if he was worried about being suspended, Lineker responded with a firm "no." The pressure on Lineker is still mounting due to the controversy surrounding his remarks. He expressed his excitement about presenting Match of the Day on Saturday and thanked everyone for their amazing support, which he found overwhelming.

On Tuesday, Lineker wrote on Twitter about a video in which home secretary Suella Braverman unveiled plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats ...

Please observe BBC editorial guidelines and keep your political views, whatever they are and whatever the subject, to yourself. And in a follow-up tweet on Wednesday morning, he vowed to continue speaking up for the “voiceless”. You are the face of BBC Sport. The absolute state of our politics.” This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s.” The ex-England striker wrote: “There is no huge influx.

The 62-year-old was critical of UK Government policy earlier this week.

But the decision to take @GaryLineker off air is indefensible. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. “And he’s of course entitled to hold his views, but the problem is that he is also a very highly – indeed the highest paid – person working for the BBC and is closely associated with the BBC. “The problem is that Gary Lineker has made it clear that he wants to go on tweeting his views. “So Gary Lineker wants to continue to present Match Of The Day and is not apologising for what he’s said but he’s said it’s a BBC decision to force him to not present the programme at the moment.” Nicola Sturgeon called the BBC’s decision to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day “indefensible”. Labour has condemned the BBC’s “cowardly decision” to stand Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day. “And I have asked Gary Lineker the question about whether he is stepping back or whether the BBC have told him to step back and I’ve told him that if he responds to me that I will read out that text on air. Addressing Lineker’s comments, a No 10 spokesman said: “We think that kind of rhetoric is not acceptable and it is disappointing to see, but beyond that it is for the BBC to deal with those matters.” “That Lineker has not agreed to ‘step back’, and has instead been taken off air as he is unwilling to apologise for his comments this week on social media.” GARY LINEKER IS to “step back” from presenting BBC’s Match of the Day, the broadcaster has said in a statement. Sky News Correspondent Matthew Thompson tweeted that “Sky News understands the BBC statement on Gary Lineker is incorrect”.