Well, it was nice while it lasted. Following the farce of last night’s 14-minute episode of Match of the Day, BBC management have come out this morning waving the white flag to sue for peace with Gary Lineker. The ex-football star is going to return to the Beeb after after the corporation announced a review of its guidance on social media. Quelle surprise.
Lineker, who was suspended after his controversial tweets about the government’s asylum policy, said in a statement issued by the BBC: ‘I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.’ Tim Davie, the Corporation’s director-general, apologised for how difficult the fallout has been for BBC staff, contributors and presenters and said in the same statement that:
The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air… The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate… 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 this coming weekend.
And, in true Lineker style, good old Gary was unable to resist one last kick on social media, tweeting (of course) that:
However difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away.
You don’t say Gary. So much for showing him the red card…
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