Gary Lineker

[1882Clarets1882]

Mr Lineker has made some very controversial remarks on.twitter. He's been criticised but has doubled down on them. His many critics say he's breached BBC rules on impartiality. He's very confident he won't be sacked.

Now, ALL politics to one side.

It's emerged that the inland revenue are after him for £5 million of unpaid tax. However, their case depends on proving hes an BBC employee . Therefore, if he can prove he can say whatever he likes on twitter and he's not breaching BBC rules cos he's not employed by it he saves himself £5 million in taxes!

Clever boy is our Gary. Lol

[Corky]

Conspiraloon alert methinks.

[IanMcL]

Freelance contract, I expect, with work for other channels too.

His comments are well founded and proven by this morning in Parliament, where some lame Gov minister and an angry (is there any other kind) DUP MP, trying to pick on him.

Personally, there is no doubt we are re-living Animal Farm.

[1882Clarets1882]

Conspiraloon alert methinks.

Screenshot_20230309-111810_Chrome.jpg (282.4 KiB) Viewed 2291 times

[helmclaret]

Hope he wins.

[basil6345789]

Freelance contract, I expect, with work for other channels too.

His comments are well founded and proven by this morning in Parliament, where some lame Gov minister and an angry (is there any other kind) DUP MP, trying to pick on him.

Personally, there is no doubt we are re-living Animal Farm.

with Lineker starring as who Napoleon? £1.3M a year working class hero, strongly affiliated to a club which should've been liquidated for fiddling. Yes, Animal Farm alright. Government wise, Tony and Gordon have always reminded me of Napoleon and Snowball - a tad more equal than others.

[Billy Balfour]

Round these parts, you don't catch fish without decent groundbait, and this thread should have them jumping right into the keepnet.

[Falcon]

As far as I understand he's a freelancer, working for BBC Sport, and can say whatever he likes on his own personal Twitter account.

The BBC do have a social media policy, but whether it a) applies to Lineker, and b) has actually been breached, is still unknown.

It's a shame that we are relying on an ex-footballer's social media account to hold the government to account, as the opposition and most of the press are too scared to do so.

[LeadBelly]

Freelance contract, I expect, with work for other channels too.

His comments are well founded and proven by this morning in Parliament, where some lame Gov minister and an angry (is there any other kind) DUP MP, trying to pick on him.

Personally, there is no doubt we are re-living Animal Farm.

His comment in question is not well founded. He likened language around the proposed (by an elected Government) illegal migration Bill as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s". Unimaginative reversion to Godwin's Law.

[Falcon]

Is Gary Lineker right?

Claim: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.”

Fact check: Correct. Relative to the population, the UK is below the EU average in terms of the number of asylum seeker applications received.

When it comes to granting refugee status to people who have submitted asylum applications, seven EU countries issued more positive decisions than the UK in 2021, when the UK issued 10,492 positive decisions. This includes Germany, which issued 59,850, France 33,875, and Italy 21,805.

There are also several European countries that are currently housing more Ukrainians than the UK, which is currently home to 163,500 Ukrainian refugees. This includes Poland (1.56 million), Germany (1.06 million), Czech Republic ( 493,149), Italy (171,739) and Spain (168,654).

The UK has accepted more Afghans via its resettlement scheme than most European countries and granted visas to more than 50,000 Hong Kong nationals last year, but including these figures still does not mean it has accepted as many refugees as countries including Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain.

[nil_desperandum]

It's a shame that we are relying on an ex-footballer's social media account to hold the government to account, as the opposition and most of the press are too scared to do so.

Let's not also overlook the fact that a current Man Utd and England footballer has also held the current government to account on more than one occasion and basically won, (certainly in the eye of the majority of the public).

[Rowls]

Good luck to him in his tax avoision battle with the HMRC, I think he'll need it.

As for his political opinions; he's perfectly entitled to them.

The problem isn't Gary Lineker. He's a decent chap by all accounts.

The problem is BBC rules not being strong enough to effectively enforce it's commitment to impartiality. The rules regarding political / news / current affairs are strong but these days when every Tom, Dick and Rowls is some kind of part-time political commentator, then the rules are no longer suitable and need updating. The BBC give him a platform and he uses the platform to make political statements.

The BBC need stronger rules to maintain their commitment to impartiality.

They also need to look again at their commitment to diversity. They do a good job on gender, race & ethnicity, sexuality etc but there is apparently close to zero diversity of poltical opinion among BBC staff. It is, to co-opt a phrase from a previous Director General, "hideously lefty". Everybody is entitled to their personal politics but the monoculture within the BBC leads to echo chambers and the labelling of mainstream opinions as minority views.

[ClaretTony]

As far as I understand he's a freelancer, working for BBC Sport, and can say whatever he likes on his own personal Twitter account.

Hasn’t he been listed as the BBC’s highest earning employee?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Doesn't he do the same as Graham Norton?
Get paid via his own company thats paid by the bbc?

[Falcon]

Hasn’t he been listed as the BBC’s highest earning employee?

I had thought so, but apparently he isn't.

Avoided a chunk of tax as a result.

[LeadBelly]

From today's Grauiniad:
Net migration to the UK has reached a record level of 504,000 after the arrival of Ukrainians and Hongkongers under government schemes and a jump in the number of international students.

Humanitarian and other family visas accounted for the second largest proportion of immigrants, at 39% or 276,000 in the year ending June 2022. These included 89,000 Ukrainians, 76,000 from Hong Kong and 21,000 Afghans or UK returnees from Afghanistan.

A total of 1.1 million people are likely to have migrated to the UK in the year to June, the majority – 704,000 – from outside the EU. By contrast, 560,000 people are estimated to have left the UK in the same period, almost half of them – 275,000 – going back to the EU.

Hardly evidence of a country taking draconian actions to keep people with a good reason to come here out is it?

[Rowls]

I had thought so, but apparently he isn't.

Avoided a chunk of tax as a result.

Who'd have thought it, eh?

[durhamclaret]

Should stick to sports presenting instead of politics imo, I wouldn’t miss him at all if he got sacked.

[Big Vinny K]

The BBC does not give him a platform at all.
Had you not heard of Gary Lineker before he worked on the BBC ? Was he not one of the most famous and successful footballers to ever play the game in this country ?

As far as I am aware he has never expressed his political views on the television programmes he works on. He does it in his own name.

Let’s not pretend he is the only person who has a contract with the BBC who expresses political views.
How many comedians for example have contracts to work with the BBC and then very blatantly express political views as part of their stand up routine or part of the show they host ? Have you watched Frankie Boyle’s World Order for example ? He has a contract as a freelancer with BBC and the show he hosts and clearly writes material for has been recommissioned a number of times. He makes more political views in one show than Lineker has made in a life time….. it’s the whole point of most of his routines. Now that could be defined as giving someone a platform not what Lineker chooses to do in his own time and in his own name completely outside of his contractual work with the BBC.

My guess is a few people are more upset about what Lineker has said than why he has been allowed to say it.

[Greenmile]

It’s funny how the free speech / anti-cancel-culture brigade are all calling for Lineker to be cancelled for exercising his free speech.

[Rowls]

The BBC does not give him a platform at all.

He's on telly all the time.

The BBC gives him a platform.

How many people know Mark Hateley's political opinions? What is Peter Reid's hot take on the upcoming budget? Is Bryan Robson a Remainer or a Brexiteer? How many people know what Peter Beardsley thinks about the the UK's asylum system?

[Falcon]

I saw a Twitter thread yesterday about the proposed policy that I now can't find.

The summary though is when polled:

- The British public do not rank Immigration amongst the top 6-7 things they are concerned about when asked to rank them. Thinks like the economy, cost of living, climate change etc are miles more important to people

However

- Of those surveyed, 60% back the proposed bill.

The big but of course, is that Braverman herself thinks that the bill is likely to fail and may not even be legal. So might this be a load of fuss about nothing in the end?

[Nori1958]

It’s funny how the free speech / anti-cancel-culture brigade are all calling for Lineker to be cancelled for exercising his free speech.

That would be OK if it worked both ways

[Lancasterclaret]

I did wonder how long it would take Wrongo to not react to this

He'll have been foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog for the past 24 hours

[Big Vinny K]

If Lineker was saying we need to “keep ‘em all out” he’d be on the honours list for a knighthood…..and some artist friend of the chancellor would be just starting to chisel his statue for a £5m fee.

[Falcon]

He's on telly all the time.

The BBC gives him a platform.

How many people know Mark Hateley's political opinions? What is Peter Reid's hot take on the upcoming budget? Is Bryan Robson a Remainer or a Brexiteer? How many people know what Peter Beardsley thinks about the the UK's asylum system?

I assume he means that the platform he uses to air his personal views is Twitter

Lineker, Reid or Robson don't get asked political questions on air.

[Falcon]

Although Joey Barton did get asked on Question Time

[Rowls]

This is a new issue that has arisen because of social media.

Anybody can now be a "political commentator" because we're all publishers. Lineker has chosen to openly state his political opinions online, as he is perfectly entitled to do.

However, he is one of THE faces of the BBC and the BBC are supposed to be impartial and politically neutral. Lineker presents the BBC's flagship sports programme.

It's not his fault at all. If it weren't him, it would be somebody else falling foul of the new modern situation.

But the BBC rules are clearly out of date here. The BBC needs to work harder on how it presents itself impartially outside of its political output - this is where the problem lies.

[TheFamilyCat]

It’s funny how the free speech / anti-cancel-culture brigade are all calling for Lineker to be cancelled for exercising his free speech.

Ssssshhhhhhhh

[Falcon]

I think it would set a dangerous precedent if a sports presenter were sacked because of his criticism of the government in his personal social media.

That feels like something we'd all be up in arms about if it happened in Turkey or Russia.

I get why people are unhappy, but the alternative is highly distasteful.

[martin_p]

He's on telly all the time.

The BBC gives him a platform.

How many people know Mark Hateley's political opinions? What is Peter Reid's hot take on the upcoming budget? Is Bryan Robson a Remainer or a Brexiteer? How many people know what Peter Beardsley thinks about the the UK's asylum system?

Well you know the political opinion of every BBC employee so I’m sure you’ll be able to help on this one.

[Lancasterclaret]

This is a new issue that has arisen because of social media.

Anybody can now be a "political commentator" because we're all publishers. Lineker has chosen to openly state his political opinions online, as he is perfectly entitled to do.

However, he is one of THE faces of the BBC and the BBC are supposed to be impartial and politically neutral. Lineker presents the BBC's flagship sports programme.

It's not his fault at all. If it weren't him, it would be somebody else falling foul of the new modern situation.

But the BBC rules are clearly out of date here. The BBC needs to work harder on how it presents itself impartially outside of its political output - this is where the problem lies.

He's setting himself up for another go at BLM here isn't he?

3-2-1......

[Rowls]

If Lineker was saying we need to “keep ‘em all out” he’d be on the honours list for a knighthood…..and some artist friend of the chancellor would be just starting to chisel his statue for a £5m fee.

Lol. The closest example I can think of would be Matt Le Tissier refusing to wear a BLM badge. His contract was not renewed shortly after.

If Lineker was speaking loudly about his support for conservative values and opinions I'd agree with him. But I'd still question whether a prominent BBC employee (or contracter, as he is claiming) should be campaigning so prominently for partisan political causes.

[Greenmile]

That would be OK if it worked both ways

You mean you only care about the free speech of people you agree with.

That’s fair enough - at least you’re being honest about it.

[Rowls]

He's setting himself up for another go at BLM here isn't he?

3-2-1......

It's not really relevant to this discussion is it?

Would you like to engage in a constructive debate at any time?

It's far preferable to the snide remarks.

[Big Vinny K]

He's on telly all the time.

The BBC gives him a platform.

How many people know Mark Hateley's political opinions? What is Peter Reid's hot take on the upcoming budget? Is Bryan Robson a Remainer or a Brexiteer? How many people know what Peter Beardsley thinks about the the UK's asylum system?

What platform do they give him to express his political views ?
Has he ever done this one the BBC ?

As for your daft examples if any of them expressed their political views and had as many followers as Lineker does then that would probably be news. It would not be as big news as Lineker’s is because they never have and they are clearly no longer anywhere near as famous and well known as Lineker.

Why have you not used an example like Harry Kane or even more pertinent Marcus Rashford ?

[Greenmile]

This is a new issue that has arisen because of social media.

Anybody can now be a "political commentator" because we're all publishers. Lineker has chosen to openly state his political opinions online, as he is perfectly entitled to do.

However, he is one of THE faces of the BBC and the BBC are supposed to be impartial and politically neutral. Lineker presents the BBC's flagship sports programme.

It's not his fault at all. If it weren't him, it would be somebody else falling foul of the new modern situation.

But the BBC rules are clearly out of date here. The BBC needs to work harder on how it presents itself impartially outside of its political output - this is where the problem lies.

Maybe they could start by replacing their Chairman, instead of the guy who presents MotD.

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnso ... n-12808390

[MrTopTier]

Tories upset about being called Nazis.
BBC being called out for not being impartial.
85% of Daily Mail readers want Lineker sacked.

Nothing really changes, agenda driven nonsense and headline grabbing, is all the world is.

[Rowls]

Well you know the political opinion of every BBC employee so I’m sure you’ll be able to help on this one.

Please don't be flippant.

Left wing bias at the BBC is well known and it would be difficult to argue against it. The BBC, for example, advertised solely in the Guardian for staff.

The BBC DG has admitted the problem himself.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/1 ... roupthink/

If you support the BBC and want it to continue then you ought to support contiued efforts to present itself impartially on all levels.

[Lancasterclaret]

It's not really relevant to this discussion is it?

Would you like to engage in a constructive debate at any time?

It's far preferable to the snide remarks.

Like that has every stopped you!

F**k off with the "Oh, I'm a reasonable man and perfectly happy to here different positions"

You'll get your a**e handed to you on a plate by people who know about stuff like this (as always) and you'll go down a route to guarantee the thread is pulled

To be honest, the fact that you and Wrongo are concentrating on this, rather than the inhuman policy he commented on tells me all I need to know

[Rowls]

Why have you not used an example like Harry Kane or even more pertinent Marcus Rashford ?

Why do you think I used the examples I did?

[Corky]

Screenshot_20230309-111810_Chrome.jpg

It was your attempt to blacken his reputation by suggesting the two incidents were linked that I was referring to.

[IanMcL]

Good luck to him in his tax avoision battle with the HMRC, I think he'll need it.

As for his political opinions; he's perfectly entitled to them.

The problem isn't Gary Lineker. He's a decent chap by all accounts.

The problem is BBC rules not being strong enough to effectively enforce it's commitment to impartiality. The rules regarding political / news / current affairs are strong but these days when every Tom, Dick and Rowls is some kind of part-time political commentator, then the rules are no longer suitable and need updating. The BBC give him a platform and he uses the platform to make political statements.

The BBC need stronger rules to maintain their commitment to impartiality.

They also need to look again at their commitment to diversity. They do a good job on gender, race & ethnicity, sexuality etc but there is apparently close to zero diversity of poltical opinion among BBC staff. It is, to co-opt a phrase from a previous Director General, "hideously lefty". Everybody is entitled to their personal politics but the monoculture within the BBC leads to echo chambers and the labelling of mainstream opinions as minority views.

The top of the BBC is a tory, following orders to promote the tory fascists in Government. A very sorry state of affairs.

They should be highlighting the total inadequacy of the EvilBraverman, who, when questioned on ITV as to why she quoted 100 million regmfugees on their way and then in a tory fascist rag stated BILLIONS.

She had to accept first that only 26m are outside of their own country and then that they are not coming our way, at all!

EvilBraverman's retort was to say yes only 45k arrived but since 2018, we have had 85k and there are a 100k waiting to be processed costing millions!

That is the clearest admittance that the average arrival is a mere 17k and that we have a 6 year backlog in processing!!!! That is why we have this cost!

Once processed, 80% prove to be legitimate. The 20% we fail to return to their country of origin!

Total abject fayre of both EvilBraverman and Primer before her.

Just another toryfascist game to create a new enemy, to deflect from themselves, while they plunder the trough.

Keep it up Gary Lineker.

[Greenmile]

Maybe they could start by replacing their Chairman, instead of the guy who presents MotD.

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnso ... n-12808390

…or their Director General

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18499 ... harge-bbc/

It’s funny how the BBC has somehow become “hideously lefty” with all these Tories running it. It’s almost like they’re actually relatively centrist / impartial, but just appear to be “hideously lefty” when viewed from the extreme right.

[Big Vinny K]

Why do you think I used the examples I did?

Many reasons…..none of them complimentary.

But try and answer the question as to why you have not used a more relevant example of someone in the footballing world that is current and got a similar level of popularity of Lineker.

Did BBC breakfast not lead in the whole Rashford story ?
Should Sally Nugent be sacked ?

[Rowls]

Like that has every stopped you!

F**k off with the "Oh, I'm a reasonable man and perfectly happy to here different positions"

You'll get your a**e handed to you on a plate by people who know about stuff like this (as always) and you'll go down a route to guarantee the thread is pulled

To be honest, the fact that you and Wrongo are concentrating on this, rather than the inhuman policy he commented on tells me all I need to know

Oh, so it's insults and swear words is it? And you want to pre-emptively blame me for the hypothetical locking of the thread?

You'll excuse me but it does appear that the more effort I put into being polite and reasonable when you look like you want to engage in a civilised debate, the more likely you are to throw insults around.

[Rowls]

Many reasons…..none of them complimentary.

But try and answer the question as to why you have not used a more relevant example of someone in the footballing world that is current and got a similar level of popularity of Lineker.

Did BBC breakfast not lead in the whole Rashford story ?
Should Sally Nugent be sacked ?

1. I don't know. Probably, I'm assuming this is rhetorical but I didn't see it so I can't say 100% for sure. Leading with the Rashford story does not bring any impartiality into question. I don't think anybody raised this issue, at the time or afterwards.
2. No.

Now it's your turn to answer the question, "Why do you think I chose the footballers I did as examples?"

[Lancasterclaret]

Oh, so it's insults and swear words is it? And you want to pre-emptively blame me for the hypothetical locking of the thread?

You'll excuse me but it does appear that the more effort I put into being polite and reasonable when you look like you want to engage in a civilised debate, the more likely you are to throw insults around.

I don't have a problem with you Rowls

Being polite does not mean your point has any merit, and again, you are not remotely interested in the actual reason that Lineker tweeted, or even what he tweeted

[MrTopTier]

It’s funny how the free speech / anti-cancel-culture brigade are all calling for Lineker to be cancelled for exercising his free speech.

Proper Woke lefties, oh hang on, wait a minute.

[IanMcL]

…or their Director General

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18499 ... harge-bbc/

It’s funny how the BBC has somehow become “hideously lefty” with all these Tories running it. It’s almost like they’re actually relatively centrist / impartial, but just appear to be “hideously lefty” when viewed from the extreme right.

The BBC is a Gov puppet.
Try looking at Scottish BBC and you will see the pro-Union, anti Independence bias in the extreme.

Full of propaganda, for the toryfascists.