Ian Wright says 'heads have got to roll’ at top of BBC over Gary Lineker impartiality row

Ian Wight has said that “heads have got to roll” at the top of the BBC over its handling of the Gary Lineker impartiality row.

The former England striker, 59, was the first pundit to walk out in solidarity with Lineker after he was asked to step away from Match of the Day over a tweet that compared language used to launch Government’s new asylum seeker policy to that of 1930s Germany.

Wright was soon followed by other fellow pundits – including Alan Shearer and Alex Scott – along with the corporation’s presenters and reporters.

Football coverage on BBC TV and radio was reduced to a bare minimum over the weekend before the BBC on Monday apologised and reinstated Lineker as host of MOTD, announcing a review of social media guidelines.

Speaking on his podcast, Wrighty’s House, the former Arsenal player said: “At some stage surely, heads have got to roll…the mismanagement levels of this is, I can’t even tell you, but it’s done, everybody knows how I feel about it.

“I’m just pleased that it’s kind of come to something.”

He added: “For me, they made a hot mess. I’m telling you, this is all from high up, I can’t blame my man (the head of BBC TV Sport) Philip Bernie, the BBC Sports team. All of this is over a tweet.”

Wright said the row had been a “perfect distraction from what really matters”.

BBC employees were reportedly invited to lunchtime sessions in Salford on Tuesday so director-general Tim Davie and chief content officer Charlotte Moore could “hear from staff, take questions and reflect on the events of the last few days.”

In a statement, Davie said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this.”

Wright’s comments come amid questions over future of the BBC’s chairman, Richard Sharp, due to concerns over his political affiliations.

In a heated Commons debate on BBC impartiality following the Gary Lineker row, Labour and Lib Dem MPs said Mr Sharp should resign to avoid further damage to the corporation.

Mr Sharp is the subject of two inquiries, by the public appointments commissioner and by the BBC itself, after allegations emerged that he helped facilitate a loan for Boris Johnson before he was recommended for the post.

Mr Sharp has denied involvement in facilitating the loan.