Gary Lineker will return to our TV screens later following a row which left the BBC's sport coverage in disarray. The former England international had to 'step back' from off his Match of the Day presenting duties after taking to social media to hit out at Government plans to stop small boats making the journey to Britain.
He tweeted: "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, and I’m out of order?" The broadcaster said it his regarded the tweet as a 'breach of our guidelines' and said Lineker would 'step back' from presenting the BBC's flagship football show.
Other star names including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright refused to appear on Match of the Day in solidarity with their colleague, and the BBC was forced to air the programme without presenters or commentary. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also commented on the row, defending the policy and describing it as 'compassionate' but saying Lineker's position was a 'matter for them, not the Government'.
