Gary Lineker – latest: BBC talks with presenter ‘moving in right direction’ as disruption continues

Sir Keir Starmer has described BBC chairman Richard Sharp's position as “increasingly untenable” over the Gary Lineker row.

Speaking to broadcasters ahead of news that the Match Of The Day presenter will return to the show, the Labour leader said: “I think Richard Sharp's position is increasingly untenable.

“I think most people watching the complete mess of the last few days would say how on earth is he still in position and Gary Lineker has been taken off air?

“This is a mess of the BBC's own making, they need to sort it out and sort it out fast.”

On Tuesday last week, Lineker wrote on Twitter about a video in which home secretary Suella Braverman unveiled plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats and said the UK is being “overwhelmed”.

Ms Braverman, who was previously chastised for comparing migrant crossings to an “invasion”, has been heavily criticised for her use of language around the matter.

“Good heavens, this is beyond awful,” Lineker wrote in response to the video.

Replying to the sports broadcaster, another Twitter user described his comment as “out of order”, adding that it was “easy to pontificate when it doesn’t affect you”.

Lineker responded: “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?”

The BBC says it is “committed” to achieving due impartiality in all its output, describing it as “fundamental to our reputation, our values and the trust of audiences”.

The corporation’s guidelines state that impartiality must be “adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectation”.

It adds that BBC output must always “scrutinise arguments, question consensus and hold power to account” with both consistency and due impartiality.

Read the full story here

In 2022, Lineker topped the BBC’s highest earners list for the fifth year in a row, taking home £1.35m.

The year before, he was paid £1.36m, having taken a pay cut in 2020 from his previous £1.75m salary. Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999, making him the show’s longest running presenter.

The BBC’s second highest paid broadcaster last year was Zoe Ball at £980,000. Steve Wright – whose Radio 2 show came to an end in September after 24 years – followed at £450,000, the same amount as Lineker’s Match of the Day co-host Alan Shearer.

Read the full story below:

After questions were raised about whether Gary Lineker had broken BBC’s impartiality rules with his social media use, the corporation decided that he would not host Saturday’s edition (11 March) of Match of the Day.

On Monday (13 March), it was announced that Lineker would return for the forthcoming episode, after Saturday’s MOTD aired without commentary or analysis.

The choice to temporarily remove Lineker from his broadcasting duties has provoked some to look back on previous times when BBC-affiliated public figures expressed a personal view on politics, but did not receive punishment in the same way.

Read the full story below by my colleague Nicole Vassell:

Downing Street declined to give its backing to under-fire BBC chairman Richard Sharp, who once again come under scrutiny amid the Gary Lineker row.

Rishi Sunak earlier declined to back Mr Sharp's character or integrity.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The prime minister said that the office for the commissioner for public appointments has announced a review of that competition process to approve the chairman of the BBC to ensure that the process was run in compliance with the rules.

“We will await the outcome of that review and we will of course provide any assistance with that process but it is for that review to look into that.”

Tim Davie has said he “respects the views” of staff at BBC Sport after presenters, pundits and commentators refused to appear on air during the weekend after Gary Lineker was told to step back from Match Of The Day.

The director-general of the corporation was asked if he was out of touch after reduced sports programming was shown instead, and he told BBC News: “(Sports presenters) were obviously put in a very difficult situation.

“I think people across the BBC... are all very passionate about our standing as an impartial broadcaster, so important in this world, and this affair tells you how polarised debate has become.

“I want to fight for a BBC where we can have proper calm debate (and) facilitate free speech.”

When asked about Conservative Party pressure on the BBC, Mr Davie said it is “not how we work” at the corporation and the impartiality guidelines are “equally applied” to those who express left and right-wing views.

He added: “The audience numbers in terms of trust in the BBC... is in good order.”

The BBC Board said in a statement: “The Board welcomes the fact that the executive has reached an agreement following the disruption of the weekend.

“Impartiality is a cornerstone of the BBC. We believe this is the right time to look at the clarity of the BBC's social media guidance and how it is applied.

“We will support the executive in its continuing work to ensure the organisation delivers world-class, impartial content for all audiences.”

Gary Lineker refused to answer questions from reporters as he left his home in Barnes, south-west London on Monday morning after his return to the BBC was announced.

Taking his dog out for a walk, the Match Of The Day host told reporters: “I've already said what I'm going to say on Twitter.

“If I say anything more now it just encourages people to doorstep me.”

Mr Lineker refused to respond when he was asked: “Do you stand by what you said?”, “Have you won?”, “Is this a victory for common sense?” and “Has Tim Davie apologised to you personally?”

As photographers took pictures, he said: “Right that's enough - you've got your pictures.”

Labour has welcomed the announcement that Gary Lineker will return to Match Of The Day and called on the Government to examine how it can protect a “truly independent and impartial BBC.”

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said: “This is welcome and we will all be pleased to see Gary Lineker and football coverage back on the BBC this weekend. A review of the BBC's social media guidelines is clearly needed.

“But much bigger questions remain about the impartiality and independence of the BBC from government pressures.

“The Tory government have long wanted to undermine the BBC. They appointed a BBC chair now subject to investigation over his personal links to the Conservative Party. The ongoing uncertainties around the future of the BBC are keeping it over a barrel and making it susceptible to political campaigns orchestrated by ministers, MPs and the right-wing press.

“As well as a review of the BBC's social media guidelines, this saga should prompt the Government to examine how it protects and promotes a truly independent and impartial BBC.”