Gary Lineker slammed by Roger Bolton over social media outburst

GARY Lineker has been slammed by a top former BBC executive after continuing to air his political views on social media.

Roger Bolton, the former editor of Panorama, told GB News: “The BBC’s own media editor, when these latest guidelines were introduced, said they were as clear as mud.

“So there's a question of whether you think he crossed the guidelines and whether they can be proven clearly in a legal context. But I think he has, and the incoming chairman thinks he has.

“Now, the incoming chairman, if he's approved by Parliament, Samir Shah did say it's a question of how egregious it is.”

Speaking to Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner, he continued: “But the plain fact is, if you're focused on the future of the BBC, like the director general, you're faced with the pressures you’ve got under the cuts that have just been made, effectively large cuts in BBC spending.

“With all the other problems you’re facing like the Middle East, the last thing in the world you want is this story running and running and running.

“And if Gary had really put the BBC and public service broadcasting first, he would have shut up.”

He added: “He clearly believes these things, he’s a genuine guy, but this is crazy.”