A Tory MP has been brutally mocked after claiming last night's stripped back Match of the Day was the "best episode in years".
Scott Benton - who is among the Conservatives to aim swipes at Gary Lineker over the past few days - asked "what's not to like?" following the 20-minute show.
The representative for Blackpool South pointed out on Twitter that MOTD had all the goals, no expert analysis and "finished quicker than usual so I could make the pub for last orders".
But after the post, which appeared to have been written as Mr Benton rushed for a pint at 10.45pm, football fans and fellow politicians were quick to point out the flaws in his argument.
Many impressed on him that the BBC football show always showed all the goals.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn wrote: "Down with #MatchOfTheDay Only showing goals scored from corners, Hiring football legends to talk about football, Finishing later than 10:40PM so you can’t leg it to the pub for a ginger beer. If only YouTube existed."
Writer James Brown responded: "It has all the goals in every week. The ‘experts’ like Ian Wright and Gary Lineker are indeed experts being much loved and highly accomplished former players. This tweet is embarrassing. There’ll be more MOTD fans disappointed in the BBC in your constituency than voted for you."
Former Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas posted: "What’s the betting that dear old Scott didn’t go to the pub but instead nipped out to get himself a Happy Meal to congratulate himself on his hilarious tweet."
The BBC was forced to shorten the programme after a walkout by presenters and commentators following Gary Lineker's suspension for criticising the government.
The broadcaster has been accused of caving into Tory pressure, after Mr Lineker wrote that the government was using language similar to that of 1930s Germany to describe migrants.
Mr Benton was among several Tory MPs who took swipes at Three Lions legend Mr Lineker, stating: "Lineker certainly chose the wrong flavour for his appalling comments.
"His position working for the BBC was completely untenable.
"He’s entitled to his views, like the rest of us, but he shouldn’t share them when working for a supposedly impartial organisation."
Rishi Sunak has attempted to divert attention away from the government, issuing a statement last night saying it was a matter for the BBC.
But This morning Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the BBC has bowed to pressure from the Conservative Party and that it should reconsider its decision to take Gary Lineker off air.
She told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "The BBC have clearly come under immense pressure from the Conservative Party to take Gary Lineker off air."
She said Tory MPs have been talking about Mr Lineker more than other things "that matter on a day-to-day basis for our constituencies".
She added: "So, under huge pressure. I think it is a shame that the BBC has bowed to that pressure. I would urge the BBC to reconsider this decision, because I think it has now gone totally out of proportion."
