Gary Lineker: New rules for flagship BBC presenters after social media row

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By Katie Razzall and Emma SaundersCulture and media editor and cultural journalist

The presenters High-level executives should be allowed to express their opinions on issues and policies, but refrain from political campaigning, a new BBC report says.

New rules have been published for the BBC's flagship presenters following a row over Gary Lineker's social media posts.

This comes after a review of the BBC's social media guidelines was published by former ITN boss John Hardie.

Lineker responded on X, formerly Twitter, saying the new rules were "all very reasonable."

The new rules apply to presenters of flagship programs outside of news and current affairs, who will have "a particular responsibility to respect the impartiality of the BBC, due to their profile on the BBC".

Those working in BBC news and current affairs are already subject to stricter rules on impartiality when using social media.

The report's flagship programs include Match of the Day, which Lineker presents, . ..