Ben Shephard was forced to jump in to end a debate on Good Morning Britain as they spoke about Gary Linekar's fresh row with the BBC. The Match of the Day host has been hitting the headlines after facing criticism from members of the Tory party after comparing the language used to launch the Government’s immigration policy with 1930s Germany.
In his original tweet on Tuesday (March 7), Lineker commented on a Home Office video in which Suella Braverman unveiled the Government's plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats and said the UK is being “overwhelmed”.
He wrote: "There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s."
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Downing Street later described the remarks as “not acceptable” and “disappointing”. Other top Tory MPs including immigration minister Robert Jenrick and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps also expressed their concerns.
However, support has come from media figures including Piers Morgan and Sky News commentator Adam Boulton. But it comes after BBC director-general Tim Davie warned staff about their use of social media when he took on the role at the end of 2020, and guidelines around social media use have since been updated.
Linkar has since told reporters outside his London home on Thursday morning (March 9) that he stands by his criticism of the Government’s immigration policy and does not fear suspension by the BBC.
Prior to his fresh comments, Ben and Kate Garraway led a debate on GMB over whether or not celebrities should stay out of migrant issues and were joined live in the studio by Terry Christian and Dominique Samuels who were on hand to give their opposing opinion.
Terry said that he thought Gary’s comments were harmless, but Dominique fired back: "This is a democratic elected government, it was elected on its manifesto pledge which always seeks to reduce immigration, the public, in general, wants to reduce immigration. To compare that to Nazi Germany..."
However, she was interrupted as Terry fumed: "He didn’t though did he? He said the language..." But Dominique continued: "No he did, to say the 1930s, we all know what was happening there and we all know what it led to.
“It led to the deaths of millions of people so to actually make light of that and compare it to wanting to stop illegal migration I think is disgusting." To which Terry hit back: "We've moved away from what the question is though haven't we? It's about free speech!"
At one point, Kate chipped in to try and simmer the rising tensions between the guests as she instructed: "Let Terry finish and then you come back Dominique." But the pair continued to talk over one and other to which Ben stepped in: "Hold on Terry. Terry, Terry, Terry, let Dominique respond."
But both Kate and Ben's attempts to manage their guests failed as bother Dominique and Terry continued to butt heads as they spoke over one another to try and get their points across. Ben was then forced to intervene as it was time to move on. Ending the debate, he ordered: "Stop it now, stop it now. Thank you."
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