Lineker, the BBC’s highest paid presenter, was taken off air by the broadcaster on Friday after he criticized Britain’s migration policy earlier in the week
Britain’s BBC was forced to axe much of its sports coverage on Saturday after presenters refused to work in a show of solidarity with Gary Lineker, as a row over freedom of speech threatens to turn into a crisis for the national broadcaster.
“We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon,” the broadcaster said in a statement. The BBC is committed to being politically impartial, but it is now facing criticism from the opposition Labour Party and media commentators who accuse it of silencing Lineker in response to pressure from the Conservative government.
Sunak’s spokeswoman called the comments “not acceptable” while interior Minister Suella Braverman said Lineker’s reaction to the policy was “offensive.” Greg Dyke, who was director-general of the BBC between 2000-2004, told BBC radio earlier on Saturday that the BBC had made a mistake by taking Lineker off air because it gives the impression the government can tell the broadcaster what to do.
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