Protesters gathered on Saturday outside BBC offices in Salford’s Media City to support Gary Lineker.
The ex-footballer turned broadcaster was suspended from duties with the BBC for breaching impartiality guidelines after tweeting his disapproval of government asylum policies.
Political organisation Manchester Stand Up to Racism organised the protest to show solidarity with Lineker.
Activist and speaker at the gathering Maddy Summerfield, 27, said: “We’ve come out today in solidarity with Gary Lineker and all the other pundits and members of the BBC and sports stars who are advocating the right for free speech, but also speaking out against the policy that’s been brought in by the government.”
She added: “I think it’s something that big names should be doing – using their platform for good. Obviously we agree with his views. That’s why we’re out here today.
“In particular, we’ve been shouting these things for years, and he himself has been tweeting against these types of policies for a while but somehow now the BBC are deciding that it’s gone too far. We think it’s a pivotal moment right now for asylum seekers and for free speech.”
The BBC’s argument for suspending the 62-year-old Lineker is on grounds of a perceived lack of impartiality by means of his tweets after he compared the language being used by the current Conservative government to that of 1930s Germany.
Some have seen this as an excuse to silence criticism of the government, notably as the current BBC chairman Richard Sharp has previously made donations to the in-power Conservative party.
He also helped PM Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan guarantee just weeks before he was made chairman of the BBC.
Another activist and speaker at the protest Lamin Touray, 26, said of Lineker: “He is criticising the government and he is entitled to do that. It’s his human right to be able to criticise the government and we get into very dangerous territory when you can’t criticise the government. Are we living in a dictatorship then?”
He added: “It just feels like a huge moment, and I think it’s going to be successful. I think he’s going to be reinstated and he’ll be back at Match of the Day and Ian Wright will be and Alan Shearer will be because they’re too big to the company.”
The wider public have also shared their views on Lineker.
One passer-by, Karen Reynolds, 49, said: “I think he’s completely entitled to his opinion. It’s freedom of speech and I can’t see that he’s done anything wrong so I do support what they’re here for today.”
I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all. 👊🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 8, 2023
Mr Touray added: “It’s amazing. It feels very energising to see high profile people speaking out, putting their necks out and standing up for what they believe in.”
Lineker is set to return to Match of the Day this weekend after releasing a statement explaining he is “glad” that himself and the broadcaster have “found a way forward.”
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