BBC boss Tim Davie speaks up amid Gary Lineker row; Rishi Sunak reacts too

Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, said he will not resign amid criticism over the removal of Gary Lineker.

As Match of the Day host for criticising the Rishi Sunak-led UK government over its plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats. Lineker was forced to “step back” from his duties presenting the flagship Premier League highlights show after accusing the UK government of using Nazi-era rhetoric in tackling illegal immigration.

Weekend preview show Football Focus and results programme Final Score were also pulled from the schedule, while BBC Radio 5Live’s coverage was disrupted, reported AFP. When asked if he should resign over the crisis, Davie replied, “Absolutely not.”

“I think that my job is to serve licence-fee payers and deliver a BBC that is really focused on world-class impartial landmark output, and I look forward to us resolving this situation and looking forward to delivering that.”

“To be clear, success for me is Gary gets back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today,” Davie said.