An email from Director-General Tim Davie to BBC staff has been leaked online and sees the BBC boss apologise for the disruption following the Gary Lineker storm.
He also says that he is pleased that they had reached a way forward with Gary and praises BBC Sport and BBC News for how they "dealt with some unprecedented challenges" and covered the story "professionally and independently", in the email first obtained by Sky News.
The BBC has confirmed to the Mirror that it was an internal email sent to staff.
Davie tells his staff that they "all know the importance [he] places on impartiality at the BBC" and, at the same time, knows they "must champion the right to freedom of expression".
He admits it's 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".
It comes after he announced in an official statement earlier that Gary Lineker would be returning to Match Of The Day on Saturday following his suspension.
The full email reads: "Dear all,
"I want to acknowledge how challenging the last few days have been and to say how grateful I am for all your work during this weekend's disruption. Thank you in particular to theteams in Sport who have dealt with some unprecedented challenges. Also, I want to pay tribute to our News teams for covering the story professionally and independently.
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"This morning I'm pleased to say that we've reached a way forward with Gary and his team. You all know the importance I place on impartiality at the BBC. At the same time, we must champion the right to freedom of expression. That's a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subkect to different contracts and on-air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.
"Our social media guidance, introduced in 2020, is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges, Overall, much of it has worked well. However, I recognise there are grey areas which has caused potential confusion.
"That;s why we've announced a review led by an independent expert - reporting to the BBC Executive - on our social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. We will announce who will conduct that review shortly.
"Whilst this work is undertaken, the current social media guidance remains in place. Gary is in favour of such a review and I'm pleased that he will be back on air this coming weekend. Gary is a brilliant broadcaster and a valued part of the BBC. I also know how much the organisation means to him.
"We've had a difficult weekend. But it's right that we listen and that we ask ourselves questions to ensure that we continue to fight for a BBC that delivers world-class, impartial output for all audiences.
"Overall, over the last two years, we have seen strong audience research showing that we are delivering fair and balanced output. We are one of the most trusted brands globally and in this polarised world we are needed more than ever. Thanks to everyone for continuing to support that work.
"Best wishes, Tim."
His email comes after a weekend of intense backlash over its handling of Gary's tweet about the government's immigration policy.
Gary had described the government's new controversial Illegal Migration bill - unveiled by home secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday to a wave of anger - as "beyond awful" in a tweet and compared the language used as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
It was announced by the BBC on Friday that Gary would be taking a break from hosting Match of the Day until they had reached "an agreed and clear position" on his use of social media.
Following the news that Gary wouldn't front Match of the Day on Saturday, various fellow pundits boycotted their BBC shows this weekend in solidarity with the presenter.
There was limited sport programming this weekend, with the BBC apologising to viewers over its schedule.
Match of the Day did air on Saturday but without presenters or pundits. The episode - cut down to only 20 minutes - featured Premier League highlights without any commentary.
Football Focus, Final Score and Radio 5 Live coverage was cancelled.
Following the news that he would be returning to Match Of The Day on Saturday, Gary tweeted an emotional response to all of the support he had received over the last few days, "particularly from [his] colleagues at BBC Sport".
He wrote: "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.
"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."
Gary went on to refer to his original tweet and stood by what he wrote.
"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," he continued.
"We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you."
He also reached out to Davie and thanked him for his understanding.
"Also, I’d like to thank Tim Davie for his understanding during this difficult period. He has an almost impossible job keeping everybody happy, particularly in the area of impartiality. I am delighted that we’ll continue to fight the good fight, together," he continued.
