IT’S ALL KICKING OFF
Impartiality row hits output across BBC
BBC Scotland sports coverage has been hit with cancellations due to the mounting row over Gary Lineker’s tweets criticising new Tory migration laws.
The corporation was in meltdown last night following impromptu staff boycotts in support of the Match Of The Day host who has been taken off air for comparing Tory ministers to Nazis.
A BBC Scotland spokesman said: “Sportscene will run this evening on BBC1 Scotland and BBC Scotland, with an amended format similar to current plans for Match Of The Day.
“Some of the Sportsound slot on Radio Scotland was replaced by pre-recorded material.
“We are sorr y for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.
“We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”
The backlash lef t Beeb bosses in panic as talent – including presenter Jason Mohammad and pundits Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott – downed tools.
Viewers were lef t with re- runs of Bargain Hunt as Football Focus was scrapped.
Radio 5 Live’s schedule was plunged into chaos, with hosts Mark Chapman and Colin Murray, and pundits Jermaine Jenas and Jermain Defoe all pulling out. Flagship show MOTD – watched by 11million – was set to run last night without commentary, analysis or interviews.
Lineker, 62 – suspended for calling out the Government’s “immeasurably cruel” migrant policy on Twitter – was all smiles as he watched hometown team Leicester City. The
BBC said his tweet was “a breach of guidelines”.
The presenter, once a star of knockabout sports quiz They Think It’s All Over, remained tight-lipped.
But an MOTD insider said: “There are panicking messages going back and forth among bosses. The pundits have all vowed to stay off as long as Lineker is off – and Lineker is adamant he won’t apologise or agree not to do it again.
“That means they are at an impasse and have no idea how
to fix the situation. There were even fears they could have ended up unable to air the highlights at all, leaving the BBC in breach of contract.”
The Beeb was under mounting pressure to reinstate the ex-England ace as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the broadcaster of “caving in” to “whingeing” Tory MPs.
Last night, PM Rishi Sunak refused to be drawn into the row as he acknowledged “not everyone will always agree” with his asylum policy. He said: “I hope that the current situat ion between Gary Lineker and the BBC can be resolved in a timely manner, but it is rightly a matter for them, not the Government.”
Match Of The Day – usually 90 minutes long – was set to be cut to just 20 minutes after the BBC fai led to secure alternative commentary.
Labour MP Justin Madders accused the BBC of “rank hypocrisy” over the decision to remove Lineker – pointing to its strong Tory links.
BBC director- general Tim Davie is a former Conservative Party activist, while chair Richard Sharp has been criticised for failing to disclose facilitating an £ 800,000 loan to ex-PM Boris Johnson while going for the job.
Last night, Davie said it had been a “difficult day” but said he will not resign. He added: “Everyone wants to calmly resolve the situation.”