BBC branded a 'disgrace' for new rules allowing 'woke' presenters to voice political opinion: 'Outrageous'

Summarising the key guidance from the report, the BBC stated: "While a programme is on air, and for a two-week window before and after the series, presenters on flagship shows must not endorse or attack a political party."

Presenters on flagship shows - such as Match of the Day or Strictly Come Dancing - have also been discouraged from criticising and attacking individual politicians' character and, during an election period, they must also refrain from commenting "on any issue of political debate".

Hardie said of the new guidance to the BBC: "The previous guidance said to not take sides on issues which are party political or political controversies.

"And this new approach says, you can do that, so long as you stay to the facts of the issue itself. So that is actually a significant change."

He went on to claim that this new approach will make it easier for the Beeb to determine if a breach of its rules has occurred in the future.

While Lineker praised the rollout of the new guidance, branding it "very sensible", a number of license fee payers aren't as impressed.

In fact, several have slammed the Beeb's decision to allow such opinions from its biggest stars to be voiced online - whether during an election cycle or not.

One person reacted to the news on Twitter by blasting: "This is outrageous. 'High-profile presenters should be allowed to express views on issues and policies but stop short of political campaigning, a new BBC report says.' No.

WATCH NOW: Eamonn Holmes on Lineker's tweets

"If you're taking licence fee money, then keep your opinions to yourself. The BBC is a disgrace."

This was echoed by another who objected to the guidance: "If you force me to pay his wages to watch any live tele than that rule is an absolute disgrace."

"We don't pay our license fees to be preached to by left-wing woke presenters," a third fuming Twitter user vented.

While a fourth suggested: "The BBC is meant to be politically neutral and that should encompass its presenters and employees as well, it is wishes to regain any integrity."

"How about he just presents the sport?" asked another while a sixth pointed out: "What is the difference between expressing views on issues and policies but stopping short of political campaigning? Expressing views on policies is arguably political campaigning. @BBCNews."

And GB News' very own Darren Grimes voiced his opposition to the guidance, hitting out: "The BBC: high-profile presenters should be allowed to express views on issues and policies.

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"This is an attempt to appease egos like crisp salesman Lineker’s penchant for virtue signalling. If the BBC want gobby presenters, then they ought to surrender the coercive licence fee!"

However, there have been arguments put out in favour of the rules, particularly those from Lineker's fanbase.

One person argued: "Gary presents the football. Why shouldn’t he be able to express his personal political views on his private social media account. The rule was always ridiculous." (sic)

As well as Match of the Day and Strictly, other flagship shows have been identified as Antiques Roadshow, Dragons' Den, The One Show, major sporting events, MasterChef, and Top Gear.