Conservative MPs called on Gary Lineker to apologize or be fired from Match of the Day, while Labor criticized the “cowardly” BBC for “giving in” to the ruling party after the show closed this weekend.
The former English striker will step down as the frontman of a leading football show pending a deal with the BBC over his use of social media after comparing the language of the government used to announce its controversial new asylum policy to that of Nazi Germany.
That’s what the Conservative MPs said I that the BBC presenter must now apologize and agree to remain impartial on Twitter or he will lose his job.
But Labor criticized the BBC’s “cowardly” decision, urging them to reconsider rather than “give in” to the Conservatives.
Opposition MPs also questioned the role of BBC leader Richard Sharpe after scandal erupted over allegations that he helped Tory Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan guarantee weeks before he was called by the then prime minister to recommend his current role.
This followed broader concerns that BBC leaders were too close to the Conservatives. Board member Robbie Gibb, an outspoken Brexiter who ran Theresa May’s Downing Street communications operation, has played an influential role in assessing the BBC’s impartiality.
However, Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis stated that I : “I am pleased to see that the BBC has finally taken strong action against the outrageous and despicable behavior of Gary Lineker, who branded as a Nazi and a fascist anyone who tries in one way or another to regain control of our borders.
“I hope Gary does the right thing and apologizes, but if he is unwilling to apologize or honor the terms of his contract, which is supposed to be politically neutral as a person paid by a state broadcaster, then there is only one thing left. what he must do is resign or the BBC must fire him.”
Party colleague Tom Hunt said: “After the BBC’s weak reaction yesterday, I applaud the modest hardening of their stance.
“He must not continue to use the platform, largely provided by the BBC, and therefore taxpayer money, to promote his offensive and misguided political views.
“I think we also deserve a full apology from Lineker for the pain caused by this ill-advised comparison.”
However, a Labor Party source criticized the broadcaster.
“The BBC’s cowardly decision to take Gary Lineker off the air is an attack on freedom of expression under political pressure,” they said.
“Conservative politicians who campaign for people to be fired for disagreeing with government policy should be laughed at, not tolerated.
“The BBC should reconsider its decision.”
It came as Labor MP Mike Amesbury called on Mr Sharpe to step down after the news.
“It is time for Tory Donation, the chairman of the lender, to step down.
BBC,” he tweeted.
In a tweet on the BBC’s Have Your Say Twitter account, he added: “Sack Richard Sharpe.”
Shadow Secretary Justin Madders added: “Lineker’s decision shows the BBC is so afraid that the Tories will abandon the royal family, which will do everything they can to appease them.
“How can it be right in a free country when someone is stopped at work just because he has an opinion?”