Rishi Sunak wades into Gary Lineker storm after host pulled off Match of the Day by BBC over immigration tweet
RISHI Sunak has waded into the Gary Lineker free speech storm – saying the presenter’s suspension from Match Of The Day is an issue for the BBC, not him.
Mr Lineker, 62, was pulled off the flagship footie show on Friday after comparing the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill to “1930s Germany”.
The corporation said the pundit’s comments on Twitter was a “breach of our guidelines” and Mr Lineker has now stepped back until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed.
But the decision sparked chaos at the BBC as Match Of The Day’s commentators, pundits and presenters all refused to go on air in solidarity with Mr Lineker.
Football Focus was later pulled as presenters including Alex Scott refused to work.
Responding to the furore on Saturday, Mr Sunak said the free speech row was “rightly a matter” for the BBC, not the Government.
He added that while he respected “not everyone will always agree” with Government policies, he praised Mr Lineker for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.
The row was triggered when the veteran broadcaster responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “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?”
In a statement after suspending Mr Lineker, the BBC outlined they had undergone “extensive discussions” with the ex-England star, 62, following the furore.
BBC IN CRISIS
While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “second to none” they said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in on Match Of The Day amid Mr Lineker’s suspension.
The show’s commentary team are also standing down – meaning the show will go without presenters, pundits or commentators.
It means the show will be highlights only and will last just 20 minutes, reports the Daily Mail.
The Prime Minister’s full statement read: “As Prime Minister, I have to do what I believe is right, respecting that not everyone will always agree.
“That is why I have been unequivocal in my approach to stopping the boats.
“Gary Lineker was a great footballer and is a talented presenter.
“I hope that the current situation between Gary Lineker and the BBC can be resolved in a timely manner, but it is rightly a matter for them, not the government.
“While that process is ongoing, it is important that we maintain perspective, particularly given the seriousness of the issue at hand.
“Forty-five thousand people crossed the channel illegally in the past two years, many of whom have been exploited or trafficked by criminal gangs, putting their lives in danger.
“We need to break this cycle of misery once and for all and the policy we set out this week I believe aims to do just that.
“It is not only the fair and moral thing to do, it is also the compassionate thing to do.
“There are no easy answers to solving this problem, but I believe leadership is about taking the tough decisions to fix problems.
“I know not everyone will always agree, but I do believe this is fair and right.”