Alastair Campbell's support for Gary Lineker in BBC debate is 'tainted' by their commercial podcast links, critics say
- Alastair Campbell’s podcast is produced by a company co-owned by Lineker
- Mr Campbell has repeatedly stuck up for Gary Lineker since his suspension
Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell’s commercial relationship with Gary Lineker ‘taints’ his defence of the embattled BBC presenter, critics have claimed.
Campbell has repeatedly stuck up for the Match of the Day host since his dramatic suspension on Friday following comments he made about the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill.
And he reacted strongly when it was referenced his podcast, The Rest is Politics, is produced by Goalhanger Podcasts, co-owned by Lineker.
Campbell attacked BBC chairman Richard Sharp – a Tory donor – and suggested the corporation’s bulletins should begin with a disclaimer about his political leanings.
He said sacking Lineker would also have to result in getting rid of Apprentice stars Sir Alan Sugar and Karren Brady and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston due to their political links.
![Campbell attacked BBC chairman Richard Sharp ¿ a Tory donor ¿ and suggested the corporation¿s bulletins should begin with a disclaimer about his political leanings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/12/22/68614967-0-image-m-53_1678658745598.jpg)
Campbell attacked BBC chairman Richard Sharp – a Tory donor – and suggested the corporation’s bulletins should begin with a disclaimer about his political leanings
![Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was dramatically suspended on Friday following comments he made about the Government¿s Illegal Migration Bill](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/12/22/68615007-0-image-m-54_1678658764984.jpg)
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was dramatically suspended on Friday following comments he made about the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill
Tory MP Craig Mackinlay told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘There is a commercial relationship and this, of course, taints whatever Campbell says about the actions of the BBC.’
Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson added: ‘Campbell is like a bad political smell that just won’t go away, so it comes as no surprise that... he has stuck his nose in where it is not wanted.’
In a tongue-in-cheek remark, former newspaper editor Kelvin MacKenzie wrote on Twitter: ‘Stunned to see Alastair Campbell on every news outlet defending Gary Lineker who just happens to own the production company which makes his podcast. Shocked I tell you. Shocked.’
‘You’re sort of making my point for me - that you feel you have to make that point because the populace is saying, “let’s find any little argument we can use to try and bring down Gary Lineker and anyone else who supports him.”’
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