'Free speech is free speech': Anger after BBC announces Gary Lineker to 'step back' from Match of the Day over asylum tweet

The announcement that Gary Lineker will 'step back' from presenting Match Of The Day over a row about the BBC's impartiality terms has divided opinion. The presenter has been embroiled in an argument after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 'that used by Germany in the 30s' in a tweet on Tuesday

The former England striker said the policy set out by Home Secretary Suella Braverman was 'beyond awful'.

On Friday afternoon it was announced Lineker would not be presenting the highlights show until he and the BBC have reached an 'agreed and clear position' on his use of social media.

Read more: Gary Lineker to step back from BBC Match of the Day presenting role amid Twitter controversy

A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

"The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match Of The Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media. When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.

"We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can't have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."

Henry Winter, chief football writrer at The Times tweeted: "The @BBC are cowards. They're letting down fans, losing a top presenter in @GaryLineker.

"Brings insight/authority to their coverage in an era when the meek national broadcaster let licence-payers down with live rights. I don't agree with all GL politics but I respect his values."