Lucy Powell responds to the BBC’s agreement with Gary Lineker

Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Culture Secretary, responding to the BBC’s announcement of agreement with Gary Lineker, said: 

“This is welcome and we will all be pleased to see Gary Lineker and football coverage back on the BBC this weekend. A review of the BBC’s social media guidelines is clearly needed. 

“But much bigger questions remain about the impartiality and independence of the BBC from Government pressures.

“The Tory Government have long wanted to undermine the BBC. They appointed a BBC Chair now subject to investigation over his personal links to the Conservative Party. The ongoing uncertainties around the future of the BBC are keeping it over a barrel and making it susceptible to political campaigns orchestrated by Ministers, MPs and the right-wing press. 

“As well as a review of the BBC’s social media guidelines, this saga should prompt the Government to examine how it protects and promotes a truly independent and impartial BBC.”