BBCs Gary Lineker backers must break ranks over BBC terror farce
BBC presenters who spoke in defence of Gary Lineker’s right to freedom of speech earlier this year should “break ranks” and brand Hamas terrorists, a former minister said.
The corporation had been criticised for initially referring to the group as “militants” and for reporting that a blast at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City was probably caused by an Israeli strike, when evidence later suggested a failed Palestinian rocket was to blame.
It comes after a Sunday Express poll found 40 per cent believe Hamas should be called terrorists by the BBC, compared with 24 per cent who think “militants” is the right term.
Ivan Lewis, who served as Middle East minister under Gordon Brown, is calling on BBC stars to use the hashtag #hamasareterrorists to show their true feelings.
READ MORE: ‘Supporting Hamas at this time is like supporting al-Qaeda after 9/11’
Gary Lineker was accused of breaching BBC guidelines in March for criticising Government policy on refugees. After colleagues and commentators expressed support for him, he was quickly reinstated as host of Match of the Day.
Mr Lewis, appearing in Eli Hassell’s current affairs podcast, said: “I believe the vast majority of British people think Hamas are terrorists.
“I am asking anyone who works for the BBC to have their voices heard and speak loudly and clearly. Many who work for the BBC felt Gary Lineker had been treated unfairly and spoke out to preserve his freedom of speech. They thought it was a question of moral principles but why do those same principles not apply here?”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews met with the head of the BBC on Friday to express its “outrage” over the broadcaster’s coverage. The BBC said: “We confirmed that we will continue to refer to Hamas as a proscribed terror organisation by the UK Government and others.”
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