Gary Lineker has been accused of "clapping for massive job losses" after the BBC sports presenter publicly endorsed Ed Miliband's plans to ban new drilling in the North Sea.
Energy Secretary Miliband reportedly defied the wishes of officials to push forward with the ban, risking a wave of legal action from companies who've funneled millions of pounds into prepping their bids for licences.
The applications from companies seeking to exploit up to 35 new areas in the North Sea had been submitted last autumn under the Conservative government with 76 oil and gas companies submitting 115 bids.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) was still holding off making its decision on the matter when Miliband enforced his ban but has insisted applications for licenses were still being considered despite the action taken.
An NSTA spokesperson said: "Further consideration is being given to a small number of remaining applications and a few more may be offered at a later date."
However, a Miliband spokesperson told the Telegraph: "We will not issue new licences to explore new fields, and will not revoke existing oil and gas licences.
Ed Miliband has risked legal action from disgruntled companies with the controversial move
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"We will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan."
If the ban stays in place, it's believed thousands of job opportunities for Britons will vanish as Labour looks elsewhere for its energy sources. However, it's been commended by some for its environmental impact.
According to Lineker, the ban was cause for celebration as he took to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning with a series of applause emojis in response to news of Miliband's actions.
Before long, the BBC's highest-paid presenter - who rakes in a £1.35m salary - was slammed by several X users who took issue with the endorsement.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 12, 2024
"Can’t wait for my energy prices to increase again. This is perfect for working class people," one sarcastically responded with a series of clapping emojis.
A second similarly hit out: "Thousands of jobs at risk? Communities in the north east of Scotland devastated? Aye clap away Gary."
"Great now working class people will struggle to heat their homes even more. Great news eh, Gary?" another fumed.
Before a fourth slammed: "Alright for multi millionaires like Lefty Lineker. The rest of us will suffer big time because of this..."
"Clapping for massive job losses?" a fifth questioned before a sixth raged: "Ban our own production costing British jobs...
"So our reduced emissions look good on paper, in favour of importing the energy we need from abroad, which will put out even more emissions in the world because they have to transport it AND they get the jobs. WOW."
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Gary Lineker is no stranger to wading into political debate
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There was some support for Lineker's stance, however, with one follower describing the news as a "great move" and a second weighing in: "Get in."
Miliband's move also come under fire from the People's Channel's very own Patrick Christys, describing him as Britain's "most expensive policy maker in history".
"If the government lost the legal action, who would have to pay?" Patrick asked, before answering himself: "Oh yes, the British taxpayer...
"Not that Miliband cares, of course."
GB News has contacted Labour for comment.
