Daily Mail: BBC is accused of a 'weak-willed whitewash' on Gary Lineker's tweets

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC bosses have been accused of a 'weak-willed whitewash' after refusing to say if Gary Lineker was disciplined for breaching social media rules by mocking Tory MPs.

Tory backbencher Jonathan Gullis blasted the Corporation's 'pathetic response' to his complaint over Mr Lineker's X/Twitter post that suggested the Stoke-on-Trent North MP could not read.

In another post the Match Of The Day presenter, pictured, also mockingly raised the possibility that Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson will need to get a job with Walkers Crisps after the next Election.

Incoming BBC chairman Samir Shah has admitted that the tweets appeared to breach social media rules that warn presenters not to 'criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK'.

 5-But last night, Mr Gullis vented his fury after the BBC would only say that the tweet about him had been considered 'in detail' and that any action 'which might be taken…would be proportionate'.

The MP told The Mail on Sunday: 'Unless they can come clean and actually tell us whether Mr Lineker was disciplined or not, this feels like just another weak-willed whitewash from the BBC.'

He said that BBC director-general Tim Davie had told him at a meeting with Tory MPs in October that 'he would hold so-called stars, like Gary Lineker, accountable if they broke the rules they signed up to.

'But clearly, that promise appears to be absolutely worthless. We can only hope Samir Shah might help Tim Davie relocate his spine as quickly as possible.'

In his formal complaint to Mr Davie, the MP had warned that the BBC faced a 'catastrophic loss of trust among MPs and the public because it cannot act against highly-paid stars who breach impartiality guidelines'.

Mr Gullis went on to call for 'robust action' over the tweet, saying that this was 'essential if the BBC continues to claim it is an impartial national broadcaster'.

The row comes after a report earlier this month that even some BBC colleagues of Mr Lineker, who is paid £1.35 million for hosting the Premier League show, were becoming increasingly fed-up with his behaviour.

One was quoted as saying that people 'are sick of it'. Last night a BBC spokesman said: 'We aren't going to comment on individuals or 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.'