Lineker will be held accountable for his post, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News. The 62-year-old presenter “will be reminded of his responsibilities”. The broadcaster’s social media guidelines state, among other things, that BBC employees must be impartial.
Interior Minister Suella Braverman announced on Tuesday that the government wants illegal migrants to no longer be eligible for asylum. The intention is that these people are detained and then quickly deported to their country of origin or a third country such as Rwanda.
Lineker called that “appalling” on social media and an “immeasurably cruel policy aimed at the most vulnerable people”. According to him, it does not differ much from that of Germany in the 1930s.
The presenter immediately received criticism, but also a lot of support. Yesterday he announced – again on Twitter – that he would continue to speak for “those who have no voice”. “I have never had so much love and support in my life than this morning (except maybe after my World Cup goals). I want to thank everyone.”
And Lineker does not intend to back down immediately. This morning he told British reporters that he stands by his criticism and that he does not fear a possible suspension by the BBC.