DEFENCE CHIEF TELLS LINEKER: PUT A SOCK IN IT!

As a Christmas present to the nation, it would be wonderful if Mr Lineker put a sock in it...

- Cyril Dixon

DEFENCE Secretary Grant Shapps has told Gary Lineker to "put a sock in it" and stop pushing his anti-Tory agenda on social media.

The Match of the Day presenter this week took a swipe at the minister on Twitter in a row over the Government's Rwanda plan.

Mr Shapps said: "As a Christmas present to the nation it would be wonderful if Mr Lineker put a sock in it." It came as a TV chief tipped to become the new BBC chairman accused the former England striker of breaking impartiality guidelines.

Dr Samir Shah suggested Lineker may have breached corporation rules by using social media site X to taunt Mr Shapps. The former BBC politics boss also claimed Lineker's public support for a letter opposing the Government's Rwanda scheme for refugees was not "very helpful".

Mr Shapps added: "It's for the BBC to decide what action might be taken against Gary Lineker.

"He is allowed his view of course, but he shouldn't be using his status at the BBC which is funded by taxpayers to promote his political take.

"I also fundamentally disagree with what he said. The Government is working to find solutions for illegal immigration.

"There is nothing moral in keeping a status quo where people are trafficked illegally and in a hugely dangerous way across the English Channel.

Controversy