Gary Lineker is facing sack calls as the BBC's future chairman said the presenter's social media attack on Defence Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to breach the broadcaster's guidelines.
Samir Shah, the Government's candidate to be the corporation's next chair, told MPs the ongoing controversy over the Match Of The Day host's tweets was a "psychodrama" and the Beeb "needs to find a solution".
Mr Shah, 71, said he did not think it was "helpful" that the presenter had signed a letter calling for the end of the Government's Rwanda scheme. Though he did not think the letter itself breached new BBC social media rules designed to maintain key presenters' impartiality he believed Lineker's attack on Mr Shapps did.
READ MORE: BBC's decision on Gary Lineker's Match of the Day future with show safe until 2029
READ MORE: Alan Shearer says 'do me a f***ing favour' as he debates football issue with Gary Lineker
Mr Shah told the Culture, Media and Sport select committee: "I don't think it was very helpful either for Gary Lineker or the BBC or the cause he supports because it becomes a story about Gary Linker and the BBC. As far as I'm aware the signing of the letter did not breach those guidelines.
"But the more recent tweet in which he identifies a politician does, on the face of it, seem to breach those guidelines. I'm not sure how egregious it is but I imagine the BBC is looking into it and considering its response."
Asked what he would do in the situation if he was BBC chairman Mr Shah said: "I think it's our duty to monitor and see how well guidelines are delivering their purpose." He added he would invite the director-general to 'interrogate quite forcibly' if the social media guidelines were delivering what they intend to do.
Has Gary Lineker broken BBC impartiality guidelines? Let us know in the comments section below.
"I do think we need to find a solution to this because it doesn't help anyone and it does damage the reputation of the BBC if we are constantly in this round, not just with this particular presenter or not," he added. The BBC's reputation matters and this isn't helpful and we do need to find a solution to it and if I were to be chair I would be keen to bring about a solution."
Lineker, 63, hit back at Mr Shapps after he had questioned if the ex-England host should express political views. The presenter was among a group of celebrities to sign a letter calling for the Government to scrap its Rwanda scheme and for political leaders to come up with a "fair new plan for refugees".
After Mr Shapps said Lineker should stick to football and stop "meddling" in other matters the TV star posted four photographs of the politician each with a different name beneath. One was his real name while the others were Michael Green, Corinne Stockheath and Sebastian Fox.
Mr Shapps, 55, was previously accused of breaching the code of conduct for ministers and MPs by continuing to work as a marketer of get-rich-quick schemes under the pseudonym Michael Green after entering parliament. He has also been accused of using the pseudonyms Sebastian Fox and Corinne Stockheath.
Lineker tweeted: "A tad rich coming from someone who can't even stick to one name. 4 chaps Shapps." The presenter also criticised Tory MP Jonathan Gullis who had accused him of breaching the BBC's impartiality rules. Lineker wrote on social media: "Jonathan hasn't read the new guidelines…or, should I say, had someone read them to him?"
A previous Twitter row involving Lineker prompted the BBC to strengthen its social media guidelines for staff on issues of impartiality. Former BBC director of television Danny Cohen called on the broadcaster to axe "insolent" Lineker. He said the presenter was "running rings around the BBC" with his social media posts and "it is both offensive and embarrassing to see".
Referring to Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure as Manchester United manager Mr Cohen said: "If there were any signs that a player believed he was bigger than the club Ferguson would quickly show him the door even when it came to players of the world-class quality of David Beckham and Roy Keane.
"At the moment Mr Lineker is behaving as if he is much bigger than his club – the BBC – with the insolent inference that there is nothing that his manager – the director-general – can or will do to stop him."
Mr Cohen said Lineker's posts targeting MPs were 'insults more suited to the school playground' and a clear breach of guidelines. "If the BBC does nothing about it, its management looks ever weaker and ever less in control of the social media output of the people who represent it in the eyes of the public," he added.
Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Lineker was named one of the Beeb's "flagship presenters" who have a "particular responsibility to respect the BBC's impartiality because of their profile" when the broadcaster issued news and current affairs staff with new social media guidelines. Under the rules Lineker has more freedom to "express opinions about the issues that matter'' to him as long as he stops short of political campaigning. He also must not take up an official role for a campaigning group.
A BBC spokesman has said: "Like all freelance presenters Gary is free to contribute to projects for third parties as long as these do not conflict with his BBC commitments, do not breach guidelines on conflicts of interest, nor bring the BBC into disrepute, and he does so regularly."
Lineker had not responded to a request for comment.
Source: Read Full Article