Gary Lineker slapped down after ‘personally insulting’ Tory MP in bitter Rwanda spat

Tory MP Jonathan Gullis ripped into Gary Lineker after the pair became embroiled in a war of words over the Rwanda plan.

The Match of the Day presenter was among a group of celebrities who signed an open letter demanding the Government ditches the policy.

Mr Gullis criticised the football pundit over his latest political intervention while working for the BBC.

The Stoke-on-Trent North MP said: “Yet another breach of the BBC’s impartiality rules by Gary Lineker. But, sadly, spineless Tim Davie will do nothing about it, having surrendered to Lineker previously.”

But Mr Lineker hit back on social media platform X, saying: “Jonathan hasn’t read the new guidelines….or, should I say, had someone read them to him?”

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The former minister replied: “Gary can you tell us when you plan to demand the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas?

“Just when I searched your X feed, the word ‘hostages’ came up with no results.

“I know you once said Hamas are ‘truly awful’ in a reply to someone on X, but seeing as you are not bound by the same rules others in the BBC are, would you be willing to call Hamas ‘terrorists’ like everyone else?

“As for illegal migrants crossing in small boats, I want to see a stop to the trade in human life and deter people from unnecessarily risking their lives to come from France – a safe country (UN founder and NATO member).

“As for the personal insult, I refer you to a quote from the great Margaret Thatcher: ‘If they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.'”

Lineker, who is known for wading into politics, sparked a BBC impartiality row in March after he took to social media to slam the Government’s illegal immigration crackdown and compare language used to that of Nazi Germany.

The former England footballer was taken off air but the Beeb was forced into a humiliating climbdown when other stars walked out in solidarity.

New social media rules by the corporation in the wake of the furore allow high-profile presenters outside of news and current affairs to express personal views on issues but they must stop short of political campaigning.

The letter co-ordinated by campaign coalition Together With Refugees calls for the Rwanda scheme to be axed and replaced with a “fair new plan for refugees”.

Lineker, who earns £1.35million a year from the BBC, added: “Refugees have escaped unthinkable horrors in their home countries.

“We need a new system that reflects the will of the British people who have opened their homes, donated and volunteered in their local communities.

“That’s why I’m backing this new campaign – because fair really can begin here.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “Like all freelance presenters, Gary is free to contribute to projects for third parties, as long as these do not conflict with his BBC commitments; do not breach guidelines on conflicts of interest; nor bring the BBC into disrepute, and he does so regularly.”