Countdown’s Susie Dent posted a timely ‘word of the day’ which could be a veiled swipe at the BBC amid rows surrounding Gary Lineker’s political views.
Comments flooded in drawing attention the timing of Susie’s bold tweet last night, with Gary Lineker stepping down from Match of the Day yesterday following a ‘breach’ of guidelines.
The TV star chose last night’s word to be ‘mumpsimuses’, which she defines as: ‘Those who insist they are right and apportion blame to others without looking at themselves.’
One Twitter user gave an ‘example’ of the word, referencing a tweet from Tory MP Nadine Dorries which read: ‘Gary Lineker does need to decide though, is he a footie presenter or a candidate for the Labour Party?’
Another user added: ‘Susie you truly are a legend – I take it you are boycotting presenting the football program tomorrow.’
Susie Dent’s chosen word of the day was ‘mumpsimuses’ which comes amid Gary Lineker rows
Comments flooded in drawing attention to the timing of Susie’s last night’s chosen word
The Tweet comes just as Match of the Day presenter Lineker has stepped down from his role at the BBC following his outspoken tweets.
Criticising the Government’s new asylum plans earlier this week, he said: ‘There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
‘This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s.’
The BBC claimed that Lineker’s social media activity was a breach of guidelines adding that he will ‘step back from presenting Match of the Day’ until an ‘agreed and clear position’ is established surrounding his use of social media.
They said: ‘The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
‘When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.’
Since the controversy kicked off, numerous celebrities and politicians have voiced their support for the football personality.
Last night, TalkTV host Piers Morgan slammed the BBC for their ‘spineless’ approach to the situation.
Presenter Gary Lineker has stepped back from Match of the Day following a guideline breach
The tweets come as rows surrounding Gary Lineker’s outspoken views blare on
‘WTF? How pathetically spineless.. I now demand the BBC suspend every presenter who has made public comment about news or current affairs – starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar,’ he tweeted.
Later, he then added: ‘It’s absolutely insane that Britain has become a country where having an opinion can cost you your job. If we don’t cherish & fiercely protect free speech, even for views we personally despise, we’re no better than totalitarian regimes like China & North Korea.’
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also added yesterday: ‘Where’s the political support? Gary is right to call out this morally repugnant policy, express solidarity with refugees fleeing oppression & learn lessons from the 30s which started with language that dehumanised minorities.
‘Footballers showing more backbone than MPs.’
Regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson said he and other talking heads also have vowed not to participate in the next programme.
He said: ‘As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from [Saturday] night’s broadcast.
‘We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish.’
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He added: ‘In the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.’
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also tweeted on Friday: ‘Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.’
Then former Newcastle star Alan Shearer said he would follow suit.
A source close to Match Of The Day told MailOnline that even the production team was ‘considering walking in support of Gary Lineker and have contacted their union’.
However, they were cautious to go ahead, because since there has ‘been no ballot action, they won’t be protected by law.’
