Tackling Lineker’s political bias is ‘a work in progress’
GARY LINEKER’S approach to impartiality is “a work in progress”, the BBC director-general has admitted, as he gave the Match of the Day presenter his full backing.
Lineker has repeatedly aired political opinions on social media, recently criticising politicians over sewage being dumped into English waters.
Tim Davie said the BBC was doing a “pretty good job” of tackling bias as he appeared at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee where he was challenged over Lineker’s tweets.
“I’ve talked to Gary. He has sent thousands of tweets, and overall the behaviour – in terms of where he is – is in a lot better state. That conversation goes on,” Mr Davie said. “I’m very supportive of Gary… and it’s a work in progress in terms of where he draws the line. But I think he understands the guidelines.”
Committee member Steve Brine, Tory MP for Winchester, highlighted a tweet in which Lineker said: “As a politician how could you … bring yourself to vote for pumping sewage into our seas? Unfathomable!”
Mr Brine said: “He’s a brilliant pundit on football, but I don’t care what he thinks about water quality.” Mr Davie replied: “I think we’ve seen a massive improvement to where he was a few years ago. Banning people completely from any issues-based tweeting is probably the wrong position.”