[Stockland Hillman]

There's not 'massive mistrust' anymore than usual.  The BBC isn't trusted by a significant number of people in the UK at any one time, the only difference is its a different side this time; the one that's usually sneering at people who protest the BBC

Tim Davie just needs to put Lineker on IR35, to clear up his tax status and obligation issue.  Everyone who's breached an agreement to perform a service should be dropped if they're freelance or put into disciplinary if staff.

Its utterly insane to defend someone who costs 10,000 peoples TV licences -the highest paid- yet doesn't have tax arrangements to pay his pair share in the same way as other BBC  workers have been forced to.

Not that anyone other than the courts can determine IR35 status, GL is fighting HMRC’s assessment of his status and should he be found to be inside IR35 then it would not only cost him but also the BBC which is why it is extremely unlikely for them to say anything other than he is outside IR35.

If he loses then they’re liable to pay years’ worth of national insurance contributions for GL and he would in fact be entitled to several years worth of holiday pay and other benefits provided to BBC staff.

So careful what you wish for.

I wish for someone paid millions of tax payers money to pay what is legally appropriate and - given his moral positions on others activities - morally due. 

I also wish BBC workers were treated consistently,  rather than privileges for a few.

This situation does highlight the fact BBC Sport needs a proper review. Does it do anything that can't be done in the open market?  Should it be paying commercial businesses fees for rights in a marketplace? Maybe for little wanted local sports rights,  but top flight Football  Rugby,  Cricket, Tennis?