BBC MUST ACT TO SILENCE LINEKER

Match of the Day host wades into yet another political row as BBC chair quits

- Steph Spyro and Christian Calgie

MATCH of the Day host Gary Lineker must stop voicing political opinions or be axed by the BBC, Tory MPs have demanded.

They are furious after the controversial pundit yesterday trumpeted his views on the resignation of Richard Sharp, the corporation's chairman.

Lineker said: "The BBC chairman should not be selected by the government of the day. Not now, not ever." A senior insider said a review of social media guidelines at the BBC would halt such comments.

But Tory MPs want him silenced sooner. Lee Anderson, the party's deputy chairman, led a chorus of condemnation yesterday.

Mr Anderson said: "Clearly Gary didn't get the message no one wants to hear his political pontifications.

"He says the Government shouldn't pick the BBC chairman, but his crony Alastair Campbell did exactly the same thing 22 years ago. It's one rule for his mates and another for everyone else.

"Lineker should get his facts right and stick to selling junk food." Andrea Jenkyns, Tory MP for Morley and Outwood, called for the presenter to be fired.

She said: "He should butt out.

It's about time he's sacked and we defund the BBC." Former Tory donor Mr Sharp, 67, was found to have broken the rules by failing to disclose that he played a role in getting then-prime minister Boris Johnson an £800,000 loan guarantee.