Campbell’s support for Gary is ‘tainted’ by podcast links
FORMER Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell’s commercial relationship with Gary Lineker ‘taints’ his defence of the embattled BBC presenter, critics have claimed.
Campbell has repeatedly stuck up for the Match of the Day host since his dramatic suspension on Friday following comments he made about the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill.
And he reacted strongly when it was referenced his podcast, The Rest is Politics, is produced by Goalhanger Podcasts, co-owned by Lineker.
Campbell attacked BBC chairman Richard Sharp – a Tory donor – and suggested the corporation’s bulletins should begin with a disclaimer about his political leanings.
He said sacking Lineker would also have to result in getting rid of Apprentice stars Sir Alan Sugar and Karren Brady and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston due to their political links. Tory MP Craig Mackinlay told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘There is a commercial relationship and this, of course, taints whatever Campbell says about the actions of the BBC.’ Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson added: ‘Campbell is like a bad political smell that just won’t go away, so it comes as no surprise that... he has stuck his nose in where it is not wanted.’