Gary Lineker, BBC and Freedom of Speech - **Read OP**

Anyone with an ounce of cop on realises that comparing situations/events/language with Nazi Germany is problematic and inflammatory. His 1930s Germany comment was an inflammatory soundbite, not a worthwhile comment on a societal issue. If he said that in a debate he'd be called out on it and would lose.

Had he left out the Germany comment and merely stated that he disagreed with government policy and language and provided data to backup his point that the UK is not being overwhelmed, this entire debacle would have been avoided. But like a greedy publicity hound, full of his own importance and knowing that he'll be supported by the mob, he couldn't leave it at that.

This is the same individual who, many years ago, got caught rotten in the Brass Eye Paedogeddon special, talking "nonce-sense" about Pipe to Pipe Bushmen and paedophiles attacking photographs. BTW that was on Channel 4 during a period when Labour was in power.

This suggest that he is a publicity hound or not very intelligent or both.

He's a former sports person and an extremely well paid, multi millionaire sports pundit. Maybe he should stick to what he knows best.

Weimar republic ran until 1933, so that's possible. Don't know enough to say whether or not that improves accuracy or not.

In any case, it's not even about the accuracy of the statement: it's about whether or not he should be allowed to tweet without suffering repercussions from State organisations he does work for. As far as I'm concerned he can go whole hog and call them nazis if he wants - would be hysterical, yes; but the BBC shouldn't be allowed to censor what he says privately; as long sa he's not promoting abuse or other criminal activity.

Now if he says something factually incorrect or libellous, that wold be cause for complaint, sure.

I haven't seen Lineker anywhere properly challenged to back up his statement.

It doesn't stand up to scrutiny imo.

But various antis can just re-asserting it and re-asserting it.

There's no argument being given, just "It is so".

He doesn't have to it's true. But some journalist could ask him to.

I'm against the firing/disciplining but if we're discussing whether what he said is true as it stands he can't/won't back it up and neither can people repeating what he said.

And it is only one or two vaguely anti-immigrationist terms that had been used - why is that equivalent to inter-war German propaganda?

What we get are just repeated re-assertions, appeals to emotion and so forth.

Verdict: not proven

That's because there's nothing to prove - he never stated a fact, again he stated an opinion.

As to why no journalist has come out and challanged him? Fair question, but it's one you'd have to ask them not us.

It's not just one Holocaust survivor, The Jewish Council for Racial Equality (JCORE) said it was “is horrified by comments made in Parliament yesterday by the Home Secretary.“It is disgraceful to see a government minister repeating the language of the far-right, and referring to people fleeing conflict and torture, including child refugees, as an “invasion”. To many British Jews, such appalling language is sadly familiar. In 1938, the Daily Mail condemned “the way stateless Jews from Germany are pouring into this country.”

Albeit, the comparison here is more to the UK's response to jewish refugees in the 30's.

And keep in mind that Lineker is not responsible for any policy or implementation of anything in the UK. The Tories and their right wing press pals / backers are pushing through active and real changes to their refugee laws and are the ones who need to be challenged - a personality simply giving an opinion on the matter on social media in a solitary tweet hardly needs to be challenged or questioned by the UK media about their stance.

Anyone should be willing stand over what they say though.

I accept he is just a fluff light entertainment sportsperson who sees things as childishly as possible.

But when so many people say with a straight face that he was perfectly correct.. Insofar as its taken to be a serious statement it should be weighed seriously.

Eh history of conquest, wars and resource stripping might disagree with you

He might stand over what he says it is up to others to challenge him which I see the BBC and government are not prepared to do

For context he was in his forties twenty years ago. Just saying.

Braverman said there were hundreds of millions waiting to cross, Daily Mail said a billion. Where's the hyperbole, that's where?

The multi-millionaire in question does actually house refugees.