The BBC is facing backlash after refusing to say whether Gary Lineker has been penalised for breaching social media rules by mocking Tory MPs.
BBC chiefs have been accused of a “weak-willed whitewash” after the Match of the Day presenter suggested that the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North could not read.
Jonathan Gullis has attacked the broadcaster’s “pathetic response” to his complaint following Lineker’s comments.
The former footballer also implied GB News’ presenter, Lee Anderson will need to get a job with Walkers Crisps after the next Election.
The BBC is facing backlash after refusing to say whether Gary Lineker has been penalised for breaching social media rules by mocking Tory MPsPABBC chairman Samir Shah has admitted that the tweets appeared to breach social media rules which states that presenters should not “criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK”.
The BBC responded to Gullis about the tweet which they said had been considered “in detail” before adding that any action “which might be taken…would be proportionate”.
“Unless they can come clean and actually tell us whether Mr Lineker was disciplined or not, this feels like just another weak-willed whitewash from the BBC,” the MP told the Mail on Sunday.
Gullis said the corporation’s director-general Tim Davie had previously promised “he would hold so-called stars, like Gary Lineker, accountable if they broke the rules they signed up to.”
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“But clearly, that promise appears to be absolutely worthless,” he said.
“We can only hope Samir Shah might help Tim Davie relocate his spine as quickly as possible.”
The MP warned that the BBC faced a “catastrophic loss of trust among MPs and the public because it cannot act against highly-paid stars who breach impartiality guidelines”.
He added that he wants “robust action” over the tweet, saying that this was “essential if the BBC continues to claim it is an impartial national broadcaster”.
The BBC has faced backlash following Gary Lineker’s tweet
PA
It follows reports earlier this month that some of Lineker’s BBC colleagues have become increasingly fed-up with his behaviour.
One employee reportedly said that people “are sick of it”.
A BBC spokesman said: “We aren’t going to comment on individuals or individual tweets.”
The BBC is facing backlash after refusing to say whether Gary Lineker has been penalised for breaching social media rules by mocking Tory MPsPA
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