Gary Lineker’s recent tweets about politicians appear to breach the BBC’s social media guidelines, the Government’s candidate for chairman of the corporation has said.
The former England footballer recently hit back at Grant Shapps after the Defence Secretary questioned whether the Match Of The Day host should express political views.
Lineker was among a group of celebrities to sign a letter calling for the Government to scrap its Rwanda scheme and for political leaders to come up with a “fair new plan for refugees”.
A previous Twitter scandal involving Lineker led to the BBC strengthening social media guidelines for staff on issues of impartiality and civility.
Samir Shah said he did not think it was “helpful” that Lineker had signed the letter, but did not see that as a breach of the rules.
However, he said he did think Lineker’s subsequent tweets were a breach.
After Mr Shapps said Lineker should stick to football and stop “meddling” in other matters, Lineker posted a photograph of Mr Shapps with his name under it alongside three more images of the politician with the names Michael Green, Corinne Stockheath and Sebastian Fox used instead.
Lineker wrote: “A tad rich coming from someone who can’t even stick to one name. 4 chaps Shapps.”
A tad rich coming from someone who can’t even stick to one name. 4 chaps Shapps. https://t.co/hjLL6VvZSh pic.twitter.com/d6dvkE1B7M
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 11, 2023
Mr Shapps was previously accused of breaching the code of conduct for ministers and MPs by continuing to work as a marketer of get-rich-quick schemes under the pseudonym Michael Green after entering Parliament.
He has also been accused of using the pseudonyms Sebastian Fox and Corinne Stockheath.
Speaking to MPs at a pre-appointment hearing, Mr Shah said: “I don’t think it was very helpful either for Gary Lineker or the BBC or the cause he supports because it becomes a story about Gary Lineker and the BBC.”
He added: “As far as I’m aware, the signing of the letter did not breach those guidelines.
“But the more recent tweet in which he identifies a politician does, on the face of it, seem to breach those guidelines.
“I’m not sure how egregious it is but I imagine the BBC is looking into it and considering its response.”
Jonathan hasn’t read the new guidelines….or, should I say, had someone read them to him? https://t.co/bxxxbj5Twb
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 11, 2023
Lineker has also hit out at Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis, who accused Lineker of breaching the BBC’s impartiality rules.
He wrote on social media: “Jonathan hasn’t read the new guidelines… or, should I say, had someone read them to him?”
Asked what he would do about the situation if he was chairman of the BBC, Mr Shah said: “I think it’s our duty to monitor and see how well guidelines are delivering their purpose.”
He added that he would invite Director-General Tim Davie to “interrogate quite forcibly” if the social media guidelines were delivering what they intend to do.
Mr Shah continued: “I do think we need to find a solution to this because it doesn’t help anyone and it does damage the reputation of the BBC if we are constantly in this round, not just with this particular presenter or not.
“The BBC’s reputation matters and this isn’t helpful and we do need to find a solution to it and if I were to be chair I would be keen to bring about a solution.”
A BBC spokesperson previously said: “We aren’t going to comment on individuals or indeed individual tweets.
“While the guidance does allow people to talk about issues that matter to them, it is also clear that individuals should be civil and not call into question anyone’s character.
“We discuss issues that arise with presenters as necessary.”
During the hearing with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Shah was also asked if the BBC is having a “good war” with regard to the Middle East conflict.
He replied: “The BBC journalists are working in very dangerous, very difficult circumstances.
“We need to be cautious, sitting here in the safety of Britain, (asking) if they are having a good war or not. There have clearly been some mistakes – there is no question the BBC has acknowledged those.
“Emotions are very high and people are taking very strong views either side and it put the BBC in a difficult position to get that right and be impartial.
“There is enough criticism of the way the BBC has covered this war, if I were to be chair, to review it.
“You didn’t mention it but I may as well mention it – the word ‘terrorist’ – we need to look again at that.”
The BBC currently does not describe Hamas as terrorists but attributes the word to others, such as the UK Government.
We are questioning Dr Samir Shah CBE, the Government’s preferred candidate for the role of BBC Chair, about: his vision for the BBC, the licence fee, the changing media landscape, and more. Watch live ⬇️ https://t.co/mwgZ8mfmQU
— Culture, Media and Sport Committee (@CommonsCMS) December 13, 2023
Mr Shah was also asked whether he thought it was appropriate that BBC board member Sir Robbie Gibb, a former press secretary for Theresa May, “lectured” Newsnight staff on how to be more impartial.
Mr Shah said: “I do need to hear everyone else’s account of it, including Sir Robbie’s account of it.
“I can’t, if I were chair, make a decision without actually gathering the facts and evidence yourself.”
Mr Shah added that it would not be appropriate for members of the BBC board to lobby the Culture Secretary over who should be the head of Ofcom.
It comes after Nadine Dorries alleged in her recent book that Sir Robbie lobbied her when she was in the post to appoint Lord Gilbert to the role.
Mr Shah said: “It would not be anything to do with them, Ofcom are the regulators.”
He said he would talk to interim chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens about her investigation into the matter.