A former BBC director-general has said presenters such as Gary Lineker who are “inextricably bound up with an important programme” should have to abide by impartiality rules. The former England player was suspended from Match Of The Day for three days after a tweet criticising the Government's language over its asylum plans
Lord Birt, who led the BBC between 1992 and 2000, appeared before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee as part of a session in the wake of the controversy. Lineker was taken off by the BBC after posting a tweet in which he said the language used by the Government to promote its asylum plans was not dissimilar to 1930s Germany.
He returned following a boycott by top on-air talent. Stars who refused to appear during his suspension included Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott.
