Gary Lineker should stick to TV rather than politics, says UK defence secretary

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps has said Gary Lineker should stick to TV and questioned whether the Match of the Day host should continue expressing political views.

The former England footballer was among a group of celebrities to sign a letter which calls for the UK government to scrap its Rwanda scheme and for political leaders to come up with a “fair new plan for refugees”.

The high-profile signatories, which also include Succession star Brian Cox, branded Britain’s refugee system “ever-more uncaring, chaotic and costly”, and said asylum policies are not working.

Lineker (63) has previously been at the centre of a BBC impartiality row after he voiced criticism of a UK government Bill on the treatment of asylum seekers earlier this year.

He was briefly asked by the BBC to take a step back from Match Of The Day, but returned after other stars boycotted the show in solidarity.

The scandal led to the BBC strengthening social media guidelines for staff on issues of impartiality and civility.

Asked if Lineker should express such views while working for the BBC, Mr Shapps told Times Radio: “No, and he’s been through all of this before. The BBC have told him he shouldn’t do this type of thing but still it continues.

“The point I would make to Mr Lineker is: what is right or moral about having people trafficked dangerously across the English Channel, losing their lives at sea, illegally entering the country? That is not a civilised, morally correct thing to do.”

He added: “I just fundamentally disagree with him. What happens to him next is up to the BBC.

“As far as I see it, they have issued previous warnings to him, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do and say at this point.

“I know millions of people watch him for