Lineker tweets about ‘fibs’ after Johnson’s partygate defence published

Gary Lineker has tweeted about “folk” who “constantly tell fibs” less than an hour after Boris Johnson’s legal defence over partygate was published.

The former prime minister insisted in his written evidence to the Privileges Committee inquiry that his denials over lockdown parties in No 10 were made “in good faith” and based on what he “honestly” knew at the time.

Lineker, 62, was briefly suspended as host of Match Of The Day this month over his criticism of the Government’s asylum policy on Twitter, but returned to air following a boycott by top on-air talent at the broadcaster.

The former England striker tweeted: “When folk constantly tell fibs, it’s really difficult to know when they’re telling the truth. I imagine it’s even a challenge for themselves.”

Lineker did not make it clear who he was referring to but Twitter users speculated the post was about Johnson.

Some other users posted comical responses related to football.

Lineker returned to host Match Of The Day on Saturday after his brief suspension by the BBC prompted two days of disruption to TV and radio schedules as presenters dropped out in solidarity with him.

He was taken off air after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet.

BBC director-general Tim Davie later said he recognised “grey areas” in the broadcaster’s social media guidance could cause “confusion” and announced an independent review of the guidelines, particularly for freelancers.

As a freelance broadcaster for the BBC, Lineker is not a permanent member of staff, nor is he responsible for news or political content, so in accordance with the current guidelines he is not subject to the same rules on impartiality as permanent employees.