Gary Lineker's criticism of Grant Shapps appears to breach BBC social media guidelines, the Government's candidate for chairman of the corporation has said.
Samir Shah said he did not think it was "helpful" Lineker had signed 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" but did not see that as a breach of the rules.
But the former footballer also criticised Shapps online after the MP said he should "stop meddling" in politics.
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
Speaking before 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."
The corporation reviewed its social media guidelines earlier this year after Lineker compared the language used by the Government to promote its asylum plans to 1930s Germany in a post on Twitter, sparking an impartiality row.
That saw the former England striker briefly taken off air before he returned following a boycott called in his support by some of the BBC's top talent including colleagues on Match of the Day.
The chairman's role was vacated earlier this year by former Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp, who resigned after failing to declare his connection to an £800,000 loan made to Boris Johnson.
Shah is currently chief executive of award-winning production company Juniper TV, which makes a number of political and current affairs programmes.
He was previously the BBC’s head of television current affairs, and later ran the BBC’s political journalism department at Millbank.
Asked what he would do if he became chairman, Shah said: “I think it’s our duty to monitor and see how well guidelines are delivering their purpose.”
He added he would invite the director-general to “interrogate quite forcibly” if the social media guidelines were delivering what they intend to do.
He 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.”
Asked by Damian Green MP if he thought Lineker was giving the BBC “two fingers” with his political posts, Mr Shah added: “Were I to be chair, first of all I would be thinking if we have the balance right between freedom of expression and the duty to be impartial, it’s very clear when it comes to news and current affairs and when it’s not, but there is this grey area in which Mr Lineker sits and I share your frustration and I would invite the director-general and his team to find a solution.”
A BBC spokesperson 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.”
