Pressure remains for BBC chairman as Lineker row deepens political faultlines
March 13, 2023
But the Prime Minister has faced questions too over the row, with Labour accusing the Conservatives of long seeking to undermine the public service broadcaster and Number 10 seemingly distancing itself from the remarks of ministers about the former England star.
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt was among those targeting the former footballer last week, accusing Labour of borrowing from the Gary Lineker playbook by being the party of goal hangers taking easy shots against the Government.
Downing Street on Monday refused to endorse those comments and insisted rules for employees were a matter for the BBC, as a spokesman said: We are pleased that this situation has been resolved and that fans will be able to watch Match Of The Day as normal this weekend.
Labours shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said: The Tory Government have long wanted to undermine the BBC.
BBC chairman Richard Sharp appearing before the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee (House of Commons/PA)
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, she said.
Other top Labour MPs were quick to get behind Mr Lineker on Monday after the BBC released a statement confirming that the presenter will abide by the editorial guidelines until a review of the BBCs social media policy is complete.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting referenced Mr Linekers reaction on Twitter, saying simply: Pure class.
David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, said welcomed his return, saying it should never have come to this.
The BBC should not cower to the populist whims of Tory politicians and right-wing media frenzies.
Conservative MPs appeared less enthused. Backbencher David Jones tweeted: A review. Decisive. Not procrastinating at all.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Cabinet minister and long-time BBC critic, linked the row to the future of BBC funding as he warned that the licence fee has passed its sell-by date.
He (Gary Lineker) can say what he likes. The issue is that the BBC is the state broadcaster and that its funded by a tax on televisions. If it werent, then we wouldnt need to worry about its impartiality, he told GB News.
Monday, March 13, 2023 at 2:30 pm