Home Secretary blasts critics of migrant crackdown and refuses to back down ... trends now
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has blasted critics of her migrant crackdown and refused to back down in the wake of the Gary Lineker's BBC storm after his Nazi slur.
Speaking in The Commons on Monday, Mrs Braverman described how she has been 'subject to the most grotesque slurs' for telling 'such simple truths about the impact of illegal migration'.
Match Of The Day pundit Gary Lineker was taken off air over the weekend for a tweet comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy to that of 1930s Germany.
But the Home Secretary has slammed criticism she has received in the wake of the row, adding that she will 'not be hectored by out-of-touch lefties'.
She said: 'Despite our reasonable concerns that we have raised on several occasions, like (Tory former home secretary Priti Patel) before me, I am subject to the most grotesque slurs for saying such simple truths about the impact of unlimited and illegal migration.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has blasted critics of her migrant crackdown and refused to back down in the wake of the Gary Lineker's BBC storm after his Nazi slur
Match Of The Day pundit Gary Lineker was taken off air over the weekend for a tweet comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy to that of 1930s Germany
'The worst among them, poisoned by the extreme ideology of identity politics, suggest that a person's skin colour should dictate their political views.
'I will not be hectored by out-of-touch lefties, or anyone for that matter. I won't be patronised on what appropriate views for someone of my background can hold. And I will not back down when faced with spurious accusations of bigotry.
'When such smears seep into the discourse of this chamber, as they did last week, accusations that this Government's policies – backed by the majority of the British people – are bigoted, are xenophobic or are dog-whistles to racists, it is irresponsible and, frankly, beneath the dignity of this place.
'Politicians of all stripes should know better and they should choose their words carefully.'
It comes after the BBC reported that the director-general had sent an email to all staff on Monday where he acknowledged how 'challenging the last few days have been' and added how 'grateful I am for all your work during this weekend's disruption'.
The BBC has apologised after an impartiality row over a tweet by Gary Lineker ended with the presenter reinstated as the host of Match of the Day.
Director-General Tim Davie said he recognised 'the potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC's social media guidance' following a 'difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters, and most importantly, our audiences'.
Lineker thanked his fellow presenters and pundits for their 'remarkable show of solidarity' after a number pulled out of BBC shows at the weekend when the former England striker was told to step back from hosting the show.
Confirming Lineker would return to Match of the Day on Saturday, Mr Davie said the presenter 'will abide by the editorial guidelines' until a review of the BBC's social media policy is complete.
Speaking in The Commons on Monday, Mrs Braverman described how she has been 'subject to the most grotesque slurs' for telling 'such simple truths about the impact of illegal migration' (file photo)
In his statement issued on Monday, the director-general said: 'Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this.
'The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC's social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.'
Mr Davie told the BBC he did 'the right thing' in asking Lineker to step back from presenting duties, but said he 'respects the views' of the presenters and pundits who walked out in solidarity
