I read that too. So it seems there is a difference of opinion that needs to be sorted out. There is a dichotomy here that is interesting to observe. Those who believe that free speech ought to be an absolute right are caught between that and their instinctive loathing of Lineker's politics.

It does though seem to me to be an unworkable requirement that no-one in the BBC be allowed to comment, in their private capacity, on matters outside their own speciality. News and current affairs, fine. Everything else, no.

Originally posted by Wisbech Eagle

This has nothing at all to do with any "group of celebrities promoting the idea that we can just have unlimited immigration into this country".

Firstly because no-one actually believes that. More importantly, even they did, it's not about that.
________________________________________________________

What are your objections to unlimited immigration?
________________________________________________________

Are you going to answer this - he who responds to every post?

Edited by georgenorman (12 Mar 2023 7.16am)

I never thought I would feel sorry for the BBC management but Samson is trying to pull down the temple.

Lineker is a first class sh*t for putting the BBC in an untenable position they are dammed if they sanction him and dammed if they don't. He knew what he was doing and seems quite gleeful about it.

The issue for me and I suspect the BBC has now moved on from Gary to who actually runs the BBC them or Gary and his football mates. The lunatics cannot be allowed to run the asylum.

I suspect that the BBC will cave in which will only encourage the likes of me to demand an end to the licence fee, a pyrrhic victory for Gary and his chums.

As for the argument that he is a freelancer this doesn't hold water ask HMRC they are currently in conflict with Gary and a few others over this.

According to his supporters the BBC employs Gary's company not him well if that is true the why doesn't other employees of Gary's firm appear on MOTD? You call Pimlico Plumbers you don't get Gary Mullins you get whoever is available.

Gary has worked for the BBC for around 20 years not as a stand in when someone is on holiday but as their key sports presenter he is a de facto BBC employee.

Whatever happens here I think the BBC will come out of this badly and is yet another nail in their coffin all because he thinks his rights trumps everybody else. If you want free speech Gary join one of the other broadcasters who know doubt will be delighted to hear the political wisdom of a pampered ex footballer who happily takes money from dodgy regimes.

Only a total moron thinks this is about the subject of Lineker's tweets. This is about whether he can tweet them, or not. The government cannot be, and hopefully is not, involved.

Go and post on the BBS. There are plenty of blinkered loons to agree with there.

Truthfully, I'm sure you do already.

I see you're back from your local Stormfront social to further prove my point. But I shouldn't bite and won't do so again.

There is no such thing as absolute free speech and people like Lineker have to abide by his employer's terms and conditions of employment just as anyone wishing to post on HOL has to abide by their rules.

Why should BBC employees be free to comment on whatever subject they wish when the same freedom is not granted to footballers and cricketers whilst they are playing

I have it on good authority that the BBC's Director General is an avid reader of this site and posts under a pseudonym.

I have no doubt he is very grateful for your pearls of wisdom and will be giving them due consideration.

ah well, in fairness RTE didn't give much coverage to the angry mob of irish Patriots picketing outside the RTE offices

A mob baying for the closure of RTE.