Gary Lineker is to return to presenting sport on the BBC after he was taken off air for criticising the language used by ministers when discussing the government’s asylum policy.
Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC, apologised on Monday for the widespread disruption to sports programming over the weekend, and announced an independent review of the corporation’s internal social media guidelines.
“Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences,” said Davie. “I apologise for this. 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.”
Davie, who was responsible for introducing tough social media guidelines for staff after government pressure, said it was difficult to balance the BBC’s commitments to both impartiality and freedom of expression.
The corporation’s social media guidelines are meant to govern BBC staff and presenters who work on news and politics, not those in others areas, such as sport. Also, Lineker works for the corporation in a freelance capacity.
“Impartiality is important to the BBC,” said Davie. “It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on-air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.”
Davie announced a review of his social media policy, to be led by an independent expert, which will have a “particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs”.
Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, who receives £1.35m annually, welcomed the review and said he was keen to get back to presenting duties, including Match of the Day.
“I am glad that we have found a way forward,” he said in the joint statement with Davie. “I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”
After the statement was released, Lineker tweeted his thanks for support of colleagues after a “surreal few days”. Pundits, led by Ian Wright, had refused to appear on Match of the Day while Lineker was suspended. Commentators also joined in, plunging BBC Sport’s coverage into chaos.
Lineker also said 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”.
After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. 1/4
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday. 2/4
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
A final thought: 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. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. 3/4
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you. ❤️ 4/4
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
The BBC has attempted to frame the row over Lineker as a question of preserving impartiality. However, the corporation did not take any action when he raised questions about Qatar’s human rights record during the men’s football World Cup.
Supporters of Lineker, who has more than 10m followers on social media, have argued that his removal from presenting duties and pledge to curb his social media commentary proved the corporation was being influenced by a government-led coverage agenda.
Lucy Powell, the shadow culture secretary, said: “Questions remain about the impartiality and independence of the BBC from government pressures. This saga should prompt the government to examine how it protects and promotes a truly independent and impartial BBC.”
The row has also inflamed tension over the conflict of interest scandal that continues to engulf the BBC chair, Richard Sharp, who is under pressure to stand down from his role.
The appointment of Sharp, a Tory donor who was once Rishi Sunak’s boss at Goldman Sachs, is the subject of two investigations after it emerged that he introduced Boris Johnson to a friend who gave the former prime minister a loan guarantee up to £800,000.
Sharp has been heavily criticised by the culture select committee of MPs, who interviewed him before he took up the role as chair, for failing to declare the potential conflict of interest during the recruitment process.
“[The government] appointed a BBC chair now subject to investigation over his personal links to the Conservative party,” said Powell. “The ongoing uncertainties around the future of the BBC are keeping it over a barrel and making it susceptible to political campaigns orchestrated by ministers, MPs and the right-wing press.”
On Monday, the BBC board issued a statement supporting the review of the corporation’s social media policies.
“The board welcomes the fact that the executive has reached an agreement following the disruption of the weekend.
“Impartiality is a cornerstone of the BBC. We believe this is the right time to look at the clarity of the BBC’s social media guidance and how it is applied. We will support the executive in its continuing work to ensure the organisation delivers world-class, impartial content for all audiences.”
