I’ll say what I like, huffs Lineker over age blunder
A DEFIANT Gary Lineker yesterday dismissed rising anger at him for condemning people who doubted the ages of migrants as racists.
The Match of the Day presenter was backed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and a host of luvvies as he told critics: ‘I’ll say what I want.’
Lineker has faced a barrage of criticism for branding as ‘hideously racist and utterly heartless’ anyone daring to question the ages of the young men arriving from Calais.
He also spread false claims about an Afghan at the centre of the child migrant storm. He retweeted to his 5.3 million followers a charity’s untrue and unchecked claim that the oldest-looking asylum seeker, who had wrinkles around his eyes, was actually a Home Office translator – which the Home Office later confirmed was incorrect.
Some have suggested he should lose his £2million a year job at the BBC, which has strict rules on presenters’ impartiality. But yesterday he confidently predicted there was no chance of this happening. Lineker said it could be worse, citing the plight of refugees who have to flee their homes. The BBC tried to dodge responsibility by saying Lineker was a ‘freelance’ presenter giving personal views.
Mr Corbyn sent a message of support for Lineker and singer Lily Allen, who drew criticism for apologising to migrants at Calais ‘on behalf of my country’. Writing on Twitter, the Labour leader said: ‘I admire Gary Lineker and Lily Allen for showing Britain at its best: compassionate, welcoming, and standing up to fear and division.’
Mr Lineker’s tweets have split opinion, with some congratulating him and others accusing him of breaching BBC impartiality rules.
Conservative MP David Davies said: ‘I hope he apologises. I question if the BBC should be employing him when he seems to be using his fame to push out his rather emotive and controversial views.’
Lineker, 55, wrote yesterday: ‘Get- ting a bit of a spanking today, but things could be worse – Imagine, just for a second, being a refugee having to flee from your home.’
The former footballer began tweeting about the child migrants after pictures of them arriving sparked controversy, with politicians among those to question their ages. Mr Davies had said some ‘don’t look like children’.
Lineker wrote on Twitter: ‘ The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What’s happening to our country?’
His post was retweeted more than 12,000 times and ‘favourited’ by 25,000 users. But many took exception to the comment.
Tim Bradley wrote: ‘ The Jungle kids don’t look like kids – not racist to say so, and you’re overstepping your mark as a neutral BBC presenter.’ Lineker replied: ‘I’ll say what I want on my twitter feed, thanks.’
A host of BBC colleagues leapt to Lineker’s defence. Head of comedy at BBC studios Chris Sussman said: ‘ I’m proud that @ GaryLineker works at the BBC. Brilliant footballer, great presenter and clearly someone with a bit of compassion.’
Charlie Slater, a BBC weather presenter and sports journalist, wrote: ‘Respect you for standing up and saying something.’
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Gary is a freelance broadcaster and this is a personal Twitter account.’
Amanda Platell – Page 21
‘I question BBC employing him’