Gary Lineker is said to have refused to delete his tweet comparing the government's new asylum policy to Nazi Germany and is not responding to calls from BBC bosses.
It comes after the BBC confirmed earlier today that they would speak to the Match of the Day presenter after the comparison.
The football legend, 62, described the government's new Illegal Migration Bill - unveiled by Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday to a wave of backlash - as "beyond awful" .
Yet Lineker is refusing to remove the tweet in question and has still not had a conversation about it with BBC bosses as he has not yet responded to calls, the i has claimed.
The Mirror has reached out to Lineker's reps for comment.
Happy Valley's James Norton teases Tommy's 'deep hatred' in final series
Gary is reportedly dodging BBC bosses and refusing to delete the tweet (YouTube)The row started when Lineker retweeted a video put out by the Home Office which he described as "beyond awful".
The legislation is highly controversial as the government wants to detain migrants who enter the country via illegal routes without bail or judicial review before being deported and blocked from returning.
The bill has been heavily criticised since its announcement, with Lineker taking to Twitter to tell his 8.7 million followers: "Good heavens, this is beyond awful."
He went on to add: "There is no huge influx [of refugees]. 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."
Lineker is referring to the language used by the Nazis in Germany during that period.
The BBC, who remain impartial on political matters, are set to hold talks with Lineker over his social media "responsibilities".
The BBC plan to speak to Gary after be breached their impartiality policy (PA)A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: “The BBC has social media guidance, which is published. Individuals who work for us are aware of their responsibilities relating to social media. We have appropriate internal processes in place if required.”
Yet Lineker, who has thanked fans, made light of the situation on Wednesday. "Morning all," tweeted the legendary footballer. "Anything going on?"
Lineker, who has presented the BBC's flagship football show for more than two decades, also hit back at his critics.
His Dark Materials fans left open-mouthed after character’s shocking betrayal
He added, "Great to see the freedom of speech champions out in force this morning demanding silence from those with whom they disagree."
The Home Secretary Suella Braverman told BBC Breakfast: "I'm disappointed, obviously.
She added: "I think it's unhelpful to compare our measures, which are lawful, proportionate and - indeed - compassionate, to 1930s Germany. I also think that we are on the side of the British people here."
Braverman also appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning. Asked whether Lineker should resign or be sacked, Braverman said, "That's a matter for the BBC and they will resolve that."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
