Tories try to silence Gary Lineker as BBC star speaks out over Rwanda plan
Gary Lineker has come under fire from top Tories after he joined high-profile figures demanding Rishi Sunak scrap the failing Rwanda scheme.
The Match of the Day host - who has previously riled the Government by criticising its treatment of asylum seekers - said a "new system" that reflects the "will of the British people" is needed instead. But Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hit back, saying the former footballer should stick to presenting, while loudmouth Lee Anderson told him to "put a sock in it".
Mr Lineker signed a letter alongside Succession star Brian Cox, former head of the British Army Lord Richard Dannatt, women's rights campaigner Helen Pankhurst, and Hotel Rwanda film star Sophie Okonedo. He said: "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."
Other signatories of the open letter include Christina McAnea, the general secretary of Unison union, Kaiser Chiefs star Simon Rix, and television chef Big Zuu - the son of a Sierra Leone refugee. They branded Britain's refugee system "ever-more uncaring, chaotic and costly" - just as the PM faces a critical vote on the Rwanda policy on Tuesday.
The plan has already cost taxpayers £240million despite the Supreme Court ruling the policy illegal and not a single asylum seeker being sent to the African nation. Mr Lineker has previously been suspended by the BBC after hitting out at Suella Braverman's cruel Illegal Migration Bill, and his latest intervention has angered top Tories.
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Mr Shapps shot back: "I just fundamentally disagree with him. What happens to him next is up to the BBC. As far as I see it, they have issued previous warnings to him, so it'll be interesting to see what they do and say at this point. But I know millions of people watch him for his football commentary and TV presenting. I would have thought it was better to stick with that."
And deputy Tory chairman Mr Anderson told The Daily Mail: "For once in his life, Gary's absolutely right – we do need a system that reflects the will of the British people. What the people want is to stop the boats and to tell overpaid crisp salesmen to put a sock in it."
Meanwhile right winger Jonathan Gullis has questioned whether the BBC should still receive public funding if it doesn't sanction the presenter. A BBC spokeswoman 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."
The open letter to political leaders organised by the Together with Refugees group states: "Our Government is still trying to banish people fleeing persecution to Rwanda despite the highest court in the land ruling the scheme unlawful.
"Tens of thousands of people are stuck in limbo waiting for their refugee protection to be processed, separated from their families and barred from working. These policies aren't working for refugees and they aren't working for local communities. That's why we have come together to say we've had enough. Enough of the division. Enough of the short-term thinking. Enough of the wasted human potential. And it's why we now call for something better."
Actor Brian Cox said: “The UK’s asylum system is in a shambles – not least with the government’s continued attempts to push through the awful scheme to send people to Rwanda. We need a total rethink. "Political leaders must create a system that is not just properly managed but is fair and has compassion at its heart.”
The former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt added: “It is clear that the current system for refugees in the UK is in a terrible mess. The dogged pursuit of the unpopular plan to send people seeking protection to Rwanda is astonishing.
"The failure to fully support Afghans fleeing the Taliban is shameful. This country needs a proper plan - one that is fair for refugees and works for communities across Britain. This letter to party leaders has come at a critical time and I urge them to take serious note. This chaos cannot be allowed to continue.”
TV Chef and personality Big Zuu who lived in refugee accommodation as a baby after his mother fled Sierra Leone also said: "I know what it’s like to be a child in the asylum system in the UK. Me and my mum had some good support when we were first here, but it wasn’t easy.
"And I know it’s even tougher today, being a refugee in this country now is almost impossible. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Being part of this campaign is so important to me and many of the people I grew up with. We experienced the reality, and we know politicians can do better.”
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Full list of signatories
- Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
- Brian Cox CBE, actor
- General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, former head of the British Army
- Dr Sohail Hanif, CEO, National Zakat Foundation
- Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, Chair and Founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum
- Martins Imhangbe, actor
- Dr Ronx Ikharia, Emergency Medicine Doctor, NHS, TV presenter and activist
- Simon Kidwell, President, National Association of Headteachers
- Kathy Lette, author
- Gary Lineker OBE, TV presenter and former England football player
- Dr Saad Maid, Senior Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NHS, and former refugee from Syria
- Christina McAnea, General Secretary, UNISON
- Sheikh Nuru Mohammed, Al-Abbas Islamic Centre, Birmingham
- Zara Mohammed, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain
- Patrick Monahan, comedian and former refugee from Iran
- David Morrissey, actor
- Lucian Msamati, actor
- Paul O’Connor, Head of Bargaining, The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Sophie Okonedo CBE, actor
- Helen Pankhurst CBE, writer and women’s rights campaigner
- Dr Latifa Patel, Representative Body Chair, British Medical Association (BMA)
- The Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool and chair of the Churches’ Refugee Network
- Simon Rix, musician in the Kaiser Chiefs
- Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary, Churches Together in England
- Gillian Slovo, writer and former refugee from South Africa
- Juliet Stevenson CBE, actor
- Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush campaigner
- Dame Harriet Walter DBE, actor
- Natasha Walter, writer and human rights campaigner
- Gill Walton, CEO and General Secretary, Royal College of Midwives
- Sabir Zazai OBE, Chair of Together With Refugees and CEO of Scottish Refugee Council and former refugee from Afghanistan
- Big Zuu, TV chef and personality and son of refugee from Sierra Leone
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