London Politics LIVE: ‘Gary Lineker Returns to Host on BBC and Receives Apology’

BBC confirms Gary Lineker’s return and social media policy review

Gary Lineker will be presenting MOTD again this weekend, the BBC has confirmed, while the company will also review its social media policies.

BBC executives have reached an agreement with Lineker after he was accused of breaking impartiality rules with comments he tweeted that criticized the government’s asylum policy.

In a statement released at 10am, BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: “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.”

Mr Davie also announced the BBC would conduct an “independent review of its social media policies” which would focus on those like Lineker who work in roles outside of news and current affairs.

Lineker added in the statement: “I’m glad we found a way forward. I endorse this review and look forward to getting back on the air.”

Lineker is reportedly allowed to tweet “without restrictions.”

According to the newspaper i, Gary Lineker will be allowed to continue tweeting about politics “without restrictions” as part of a deal with the BBC following his impartiality dispute.

A full statement is expected to be released by the company at 10 a.m.

Gary Lineker returns to BBC and receives apology – reports

Gary Lineker is reportedly set to present Match of the Day again after a row with the BBC over his comments on the Government’s Illegal Migration Act.

Lineker “resigned” from the weekend edition of the flagship football show after he reportedly broke the company’s rules on impartiality when he tweeted that the bill was “policy immeasurably cruel”.

Lineker will reportedly be presenting MotD again this weekend and will receive an apology from the BBC.

What is the Illegal Migration Act and why is it controversial?

The Illegal Migration Act is a law designed to crack down on people crossing the English Channel on small boats.

The controversial policy, presented by Home Secretary Suella Braverman in the House of Commons last Tuesday, would see refugees arriving by boat detained, transported away and barred for life from seeking asylum in the UK.

Critics have warned the law is “unenforceable” and will leave thousands of migrants in limbo by banning them from ever claiming British citizenship.

The UN refugee agency called on MPs and colleagues to block the “deeply” worrying plan, while human rights group Amnesty International UK said it contained nothing “fair, humane or even practical” and described it as a “shocking new low”.

But the prime minister and interior minister have defended the plans, with Rishi Sunak saying: “Stopping the boats is not just my priority, it’s the people’s priority.”

Read a full breakdown of the Illegal Migration Act and how it would be enforced here, or listen as the Standard’s policy editor, Nicholas Cecil, explains the plan on The Leader podcast.