Status: 03/13/2023 12:31 p.m
Agreement in the dispute over political neutrality: BBC football presenter Gary Lineker is to return to the screen. The public broadcaster also announced that it would review the social media guidelines.
After the British BBC suspended the popular football presenter Gary Lineker for a tweet critical of the government, the former professional footballer is said to be back in front of the camera in a few days. “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary and I look forward to him presenting our coverage over the coming weekend,” BBC Director-General Tim Davie said in a statement.
He also announced an independent investigation into social media regulations. Lineker was satisfied. He is happy to return to the air, said the 62-year-old.
Suspended for criticizing the government
Lineker was suspended from the BBC on Friday for a tweet critical of the government. He accused the British government of using language in connection with refugees that was tantamount to Nazi rhetoric from the 1930s. Lineker violated the guidelines for political neutrality of the public service broadcaster, the BBC justified the step.
Earlier, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Interior Minister Suella Braverman had presented a bill that would deny people who entered the country irregularly the right to seek asylum. In this context, Braverman had spoken of an “invasion” by boat people.
BBC wants to adjust guidelines
Following Lineker’s suspension, the BBC had to scrap much of its sports coverage over the weekend. Many moderators, commentators and pundits had refused to work in solidarity with Lineker. The football icon has hosted Britain’s premier football show since 1999 “match of the day“.
The BBC now wants to conduct a review of its own social media guidelines. Particular attention should be paid to employees who do not play a role in regular news reporting. The BBC is committed to strict neutrality. Lineker, who has around 8.6 million followers on Twitter, has repeatedly criticized the conservative government.