fbpx
Connect with us

English Premier League

BBC urged to sack Gary Lineker after migrant Nazi jibe in criticism of UK government

The BBC have been urged to sack Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker after a migrant Nazi jibe in criticism of the UK government.

The broadcaster will be having talks with the host over a post on social media that draws comparisons between the government’s Illegal Migration Bill (the new bill) and Nazi Germany’s policies.

The spokesperson for the BBC stated that the 62-year-old will be “reminded” of his social media responsibilities.

The presenter shared a Twitter video published by Suella Braverman (Home Secretary), in which she revealed government plans to prevent migrant boats from crossing the Channel.

“Good heavens, this is beyond awful,” he wrote.

Another Twitter user, responding to Gary Lineker’s post, described his comment as “out of order”, while saying that it was “easy to pontificate when it doesn’t affect you”.

Lineker replied: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.

“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, and I’m out of order?”

His comments led to backlash from a number of Tory politicians, who urged the BBC to take action.

Conservative party deputy chairman, Lee Anderson, wrote on Twitter: “This is just another example of how out of touch these overpaid stars are with the voting public.

“Instead of lecturing, Mr Lineker should stick to reading out the football scores and flogging crisps.”

A spokesperson for the corporation said: “The BBC has social media guidance, which is published.

“Individuals who work for us are aware of their responsibilities relating to social media. We have appropriate internal processes in place if required.”

Gary Lineker said on Wednesday: “Morning all. Anything going on?

“Great to see the freedom of speech champions out in force this morning demanding silence from those with whom they disagree. 

“I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all.”

The BBC’s editorial guidelines state that the organisation is “committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output”, and that “public comments, for example on social media, of staff (or) presenters… can affect perceptions of the BBC’s impartiality”.

This isn’t the first time the ex-England, Tottenham, and Leicester player has been subject to the broadcaster’s impartiality guidelines.

The BBC’s executive complaints unit found that Lineker had violated its rules by tweeting about Russia and the Conservative Party.

The complaints team decided that Lineker, although he was not a journalist had an additional responsibility for impartiality according to BBC guidance. This guideline states that high standards apply to those who “have an additional responsibility to BBC because of their profile with the BBC”.

Lineker was also criticised by Jonathan Agew, a cricket commentator for the BBC, for his remarks on Brexit in February 2018.

Replying to one of Gary Lineker’s Twitter posts, Agnew said: “Gary. You are the face of BBC Sport. Please observe BBC editorial guidelines and keep your political views, whatever they are and whatever the subject, to yourself.

“I’d be sacked if I followed your example. Thanks.”

As mentioned, some have urged the BBC to sack Gary Lineker after a migrant Nazi jibe in criticism of the UK government, while others gave a different opinion on the matter…

@Just_Jo: @GaryLineker isn’t a political journalist, he’s a sports presenter – why should he have to be impartial unless it’s when presenting a football match? Why can’t he have, and voice, his opinion? If told to shut up then kind of proves his point about 1930s doesn’t it! #imwithgary

@rougues63: He said the language wasn’t dissimilar to 1930s Germany and he’s right. I hope you corrected Braverman on this?

@twigs83: He had an opinion, which he is entitled to on his personal page! Or is it freedom of speech if you agree with the government? Does the truth hurt the government?

@b_m_f_a: Hopefully to tell him he is 💯 correct and that the majority of the British public agree 👏👏

@glitteringmoss: No one should be “speaking ” to Gary Lineker He’s telling the truth When did it become wrong to tell the truth within the BBC?

@abbiethoms: He’s absolutely correct, he’s said something that needed to be said. My grandparents fort a war against the kind of people who thought like the current government

@23rodge: Why? He is 100% correct. Having a word with him for having an opinion outside of work smacks just as much of 1930s Germany. The government are using any migrant crisis as a way of deflecting from their own many many failings. This being 1 of them & too many are falling for it

@DJNelsonPhotos: He’s not wrong though is he?

@Watto100avfc: See the idiots are out in force. Gary Lineker is perfectly in his right to have an opinion about politics as is everyone else. “Stick to football Gary” 🙄 Does that mean those of us not in football can’t have an opinion about it 🤷

@ChillaxBcn: I see Gary Lineker is being “spoken to” by the BBC about his views on the ‘small boats law’ and is being attacked by the Tories. I think @GaryLineker should stay true to his conscience and tell the @BBC to fuck off and stand up against any bullying from the Tories.

@Johnmfitzp: Why he is entitled to his opinion. He doesn’t work on news & current affairs so it doesn’t conflict with the output he does for the BBC. He isn’t a corespondent or editor. There is no conflict of interest or breach of impartiality

@splbanter (Replying to @ColinBrazierTV): free speech… i thought you lot loved that. or is it only when you agree with whats been said?

@Cmic1970: He’s entitled to his opinion. The end.

@Matt77184586: Love him, speaks truth to power. I can understand why a GB news grifter would dislike him.

@RogerGoodcopy: Nothing should happen, except maybe a knighthood.

@greenday761: Gary Lineker is a human being, if he has strong objections to immigration policy, he should be allowed to voice them. Gary is a football commentator not a political journalist, so it’s hardly a conflict of interest. Leave Gary Lineker alone.

@CartoonGravity: Will all possible respect to Gary Lineker, it seems unfortunate that the loudest voice against emergent fascism in this country is a football commentator and not the leader of the opposition.

@atilatstokbroka: Gary Lineker was brilliant off the pitch and he’s even better off it.The Tories’ billionaire friends control the press and now they want the BBC. Lineker has as much right to free speech as Murdoch and Rothermere and the fact it’s taxpayers not oligarchs who own it is irrelevant

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in English Premier League