A Tory frontbencher has been widely mocked on social media after using a 'cringey' football analogy to have a pop at Gary Lineker and the Labour party.
At the dispatch box the Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt accused Labour of 'borrowing from the Gary Lineker playbook' in its criticism of the Government’s plans to stop small boat Channel crossings.
The Match of the Day presenter has come under fire from ministers after describing the policy as 'immeasurably cruel' and said the 'language used to launch it was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s.”
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Announcing the government's plan to debate the proposed bill Ms Mordaunt made the comparison with Mr Lineker and said of Labour: "They say they want to stop the boats but they are not prepared to help us do it."
"They are a party of goal-hangers and the occasional left-wing striker" she continued. "Hanging around the goalmouth, poised to seize any opportunities and take an easy shot.
"But that only works if the ball is in the right half. This country doesn't need goalhangers, it needs centre forwards.
"It needs people that put in the hard work, take tough decisions, grip a problem and work out to solve it and create those opportunities. And that is what we are doing.
"And it needs a team captain who knows his own mind, has a plan and knows what colour his football shirt is. Labour might be up half-time but the second half is yet to be played."
Gary Lineker himself responded to a tweet from Ms Mordaunt sharing a clip of it saying: "Thank you for mentioning me in your clumsy analogy. I’m just happy to have been better in the 6 yard box than you are at the dispatch box. Best wishes."
A number of people on social media described the football puns as 'cingey' and 'embarassing' and particularly took issue with the notion of a 'left-wing striker.'
Labour MP Paula Barker said: "Clearly Penny Mordaunt doesn’t watch a lot of football. What on earth is a left-wing striker? Also, the best number 9s stick it in from close range so I’m not following the goal hanger insult either. Sad."
Chris Roberts said: "Gary Lineker is 4th on the list of England’s all time top scorers and he played up front for clubs like Barcelona. I’m not sure what point Penny Mordaunt thinks she’s making but I’d take Lineker over anyone in their front line in a heartbeat."
Nikki Dunsford said: "Pathetic! I wonder who wrote this? Deflection Deflection Deflection" Kendall Rowan said: "Has she just made up a new football position?"
Whilst Dolores Magdalen said: "Nothing moe painful than hearing crap drafted by civil servants and read out by ministers which pretends that they are up with the issues of the day." "Script by Alan Patridge" another Twitter user said.
There was however some support for the former Tory leadership candidate, one of whom said 'there was no one better at the dispatch box.'
Reports have suggested the BBC will have a 'frank conversation' with him over his public comments however earlier today he said he stood by what he said and did not fear suspension by the corporation.
Tonight Mr Lineker tweeted saying: "Well, it’s been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @BBCMOTD on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It’s been overwhelming."
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