Jeremy Corbyn has praised the compassion shown by Gary Lineker in his comments about "racist" attitudes toward child refugees after the football pundit was criticised and accused of “peddling lies” by The Sun.
The Labour leader expressed his admiration for Lineker and for Lily Allen, who was also widely criticised for tearfully apologising on behalf of Britain to a teenage refugee she met in the Calais "Jungle" camp.
Lineker, 55, prompted a backlash after criticising “hideously racist and utterly heartless” attitudes towards child refugees amid questions over the ages of some being resettled in the UK. A front page article by The Sun claimed “leftie luvvie“ Lineker was facing calls to be sacked over his “political” tweets amid accusations they breached impartially guidelines set out by the BBC.
Lineker has stayed unrepentant in the face of criticism and his stance was praised by Mr Corbyn, who said both Lineker and Allen were symbols of tolerance and unity. Mr Corbyn's predecessor leader Ed Miliband also rushed to his defence, calling on The Sun to “lay off” Lineker.
Lineker said the furore landed him with “a bit of a spanking” but dismissed claims by The Sun the BBC was under pressure to fire him. Ignoring suggestions he should apologise, he added: “Things could be worse – imagine, just for a second, being a refugee having to flee from your home.”
The BBC appeared equally unfazed by his comments: “Gary is a freelance broadcaster and this is a personal Twitter account.”
Allen’s compassionate response received support from LBC broadcaster James O’Brien, who ridiculed her detractors for launching a “witch hunt” against the singer.
“'Goddamn Lily Allen for actually travelling to Calais to meet people and look at a situation before forming an opinion about it,” said O’Brien. “Doesn't she know she could get all her opinions straight from the Mail Online? She doesn't need to actually go there and meet people and see things and demonstrate compassion.”
