✕CloseTory MP Jonathan Gullis falsely claims Lineker called red wall voters ‘Nazis’
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Faith in the BBC’s director general “is at an all-time low” amid the Gary Lineker row, a union has claimed.
A National Union of Journalists spokesperson said around 1,000 journalists are expected to walk out on Wednesday over proposed cuts to local radio.
The comments come as the Match of the Day presenter hit back at a Tory MP who wrongly claimed he had called red wall voters in the north and Midlands “Nazis” and “racist bigots”.
Jonathan Gullis claimed Rishi Sunak’s planned small boats crackdown had “upset all the right people in the right places”.
He told Channel 4 News: “When I talk about upsetting people I’m talking about the Twitterati, the wokerati of north Islington – those champagne socialists who pontificate all day. “Those are the people I don’t care upsetting, because those are the people who want to call people up here racist bigots, Nazis – like Gary Lineker has done.”
It follows outrage within the Conservative ranks at the BBC’s climbdown over Mr Lineker, which saw the corporation apologise and reinstate the presenter to Match of the Day.
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Gary Lineker slams Tory MP for ‘outrageous’ Nazi claim comments
Gary Lineker has fired back at a Conservative MP who falsely suggested that the BBC presenter had called so-called “red wall” voters in the north and Midlands “Nazis” and “racist bigots”.
Jonathan Gullis, Tory MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said Rishi Sunak’s planned small boats crackdown had “upset all the right people in the right places”.
The right-winger told Channel 4 News: “Let’s be clear, when I talk about upsetting people I’m talking about the Twitterati, the wokerati of north Islington – those champagne socialists who pontificate all day.”
Mr Gullis added: “Those are the people I don’t care upsetting, because those are the people who want to call people up here racist bigots, Nazis – like Gary Lineker has done.”
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
Gary Lineker slams Tory MP for ‘outrageous’ Nazi claim comments
Jonathan Gullis falsely claims BBC star called red wall voters ‘Nazis’ and ‘racist bigots’
Emily Atkinson15 March 2023 14:351678900532
'Nazi' references: BBC sportscaster's tweet revives debate
The references seem endless, and they can come from anywhere. In recent days, Pope Francis compared Nicaragua‘s repression of Catholics to Hitler’s rule in Germany. In Britain, a BBC sportscaster likened the nation’s asylum policy to 1930s Germany, resulting in his brief suspension and a national uproar.
For Holocaust and anti-Nazi scholars and organizations, the two sentiments were understandable — but concerning. Invoking Hitler and Nazi Germany, they warn, often serves to revive a familiar and unwelcome line of argument.
More on this story here:
'Nazi' references: BBC sportscaster's tweet revives debate
The references seem endless, and they can come from anywhere
Emily Atkinson15 March 2023 17:151678898732
Ian Wright says ‘heads have got to roll’ after BBC management caused ‘hot mess’ over Gary Lineker row
Ian Wright has said “heads have got to roll” after managers at the BBC caused a “hot mess” at the weekend by asking Gary Lineker to step away from Match Of The Day.
The former England footballer joined fellow pundits – including Alan Shearer and Alex Scott – and the corporation’s presenters and reporters to walk out in solidarity with Lineker during the impartiality row.
Football coverage on BBC TV and radio was hit before the BBC on Monday apologised and reinstated Lineker as host of MOTD.
Charlotte McLaughlin reports:
Ian Wright says ‘heads have got to roll’ after BBC Gary Lineker row
The former England footballer joined fellow pundits – including Alan Shearer and Alex Scott – to walkout in solidarity with Lineker
Emily Atkinson15 March 2023 16:451678898405
Faith in BBC director genera; ‘at all time low'
BBC journalists have been “forced to strike” by proposed cuts to local radio, former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said.
Mr McDonnell, secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) cross-party parliamentary group, was among those on a picket line outside Broadcasting House on Wednesday.
A union official added that faith in BBC director-general Tim Davie is at an “all-time low” after the suspension and reinstatement of presenter Gary Lineker over tweets criticising the Government.
The NUJ said about 1,000 journalists are expected to walk out across the day, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his Spring budget, prompting disruption to the local TV and radio schedule in England.
The strike means many 1.30pm and 6.30pm regional TV news programmes across England are not being broadcast. Programming in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland remains unaffected.
Sam Rkaina15 March 2023 16:401678896932
Match of the Day theme tune drowns out BBC interview outside parliament after Gary Lineker row
The Match of the Day theme tune interrupted a BBC News interview outside parliament on Wednesday.
As Tory MP Harriett Baldwin spoke about the Budget, she was drowned out by the iconic music from the famous football highlights programme.
It was blasted out around Westminster following the controversy surrounding the BBC and presenter Gary Lineker, who was told to step aside from last weekend’s Match of the Day after tweeting criticism about the government’s asylum policy.
More on this story from Oliver Browning here:
Match of the Day theme tune drowns out live BBC interview after Gary Lineker row
The Match of the Day theme tune interrupted a BBC News interview outside parliament on Wednesday (15 March). As Tory MP Harriett Baldwin spoke about the Budget, she was drowned out by the iconic music from the famous football highlights programme. It was blasted out around Westminster following the controversy surrounding the BBC and presenter Gary Lineker, who was told to step aside from last weekend’s Match of the Day after tweeting criticism about the government’s asylum policy. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Emily Atkinson15 March 2023 16:151678895132
ICYMI | Tory MP Jonathan Gullis falsely claims Lineker called red wall voters ‘Nazis’
✕Tory MP Jonathan Gullis falsely claims Lineker called red wall voters ‘Nazis’Emily Atkinson15 March 2023 15:451678893336
Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak on Gary Lineker controversy
Rishi Sunak must “stand up to his snowflake MPs waging war on free speech” following the Gary Lineker row, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Labour leader sought assurances that Conservative MPs or others connected to the party did not lobby the BBC to “effectively cancel” Match of the Day last weekend.
Mr Sunak accused Sir Keir of the “usual political opportunism” and insisted he cares about the integrity and impartiality of the country’s institutions, including the BBC.
He also welcomed the return of Match Of The Day this weekend.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said: “Last summer the Prime Minister claimed he wanted to protect free speech and put a stop to no platforming.
“So how concerned was he by last week’s campaign by Tory MPs to cancel a broadcaster?”
Mr Sunak replied: “As I said at the time, the issues between Gary Lineker and the BBC were for them to resolve and I’m very glad that they did and we can look forward to watching Match Of The Day again on our screens.”
✕PMQs: Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak on Gary Lineker controversyEmily Atkinson15 March 2023 15:151678745312
We’re pausing our live coverage for the evening but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.
Sam Rkaina13 March 2023 22:081678744826
'Gary Lineker for PM’
Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square chanted “Stop the Bill” as MPs debated the Illegal Migration Bill on Monday night.
David Locket, who held a sign that read “Gary Lineker for PM,” said: “I’m appalled that the only people that seem to speak up for refugees are retired footballers.
“The idea that desperate people in little dinghies are some sort of invasion of this country actually makes me feel sick.”
He added: “The language they’re using actually is the language of the 1930s, and it makes it impossible to actually seek asylum in this country.”
Sam Rkaina13 March 2023 22:001678743026
BBC Governors ‘should not be appointed by government'
The impartiality row over Lineker’s tweet has also raised further questions about the position of BBC chairman Richard Sharp, after it emerged he had helped former prime minister Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility.
An investigation is currently under way into Mr Sharp’s appointment to the position.
Asked about Mr Sharp’s removal from the position, Mr Dyke said: “I’m not sure I do think he should go.
“I personally hope there’s an opportunity in this inquiry to look at the whole way that the chairman and the governors get appointed at the BBC.
“Because I think…we’re now in a world where they shouldn’t be appointed by the Government of the day.”
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