15-12-2023, 12:14 AM
(14-12-2023, 11:36 PM)Keith Wrote: Whilst not quite the same thing it's perhaps worth remembering pre-social media Robert Kilroy-SilkAs I said, discriminatory remarks are a different category. While the proportionality of the instant dismissal might be debateable, Kilroy was also presenting a social affairs discussion programme - if the BBC felt he held prejudiced views, it is reasonable to question whether he could present the show fairly.
I'm fairly certain Clarkson historically got himself into trouble for his Sun column and/or social media, whilst presenting Top Gear.
Heaven forbid if Piers Morgan had been presenting on a BBC programme, rather than ITV (or now Talk TV), what headaches the BBC would have had over his opinions.
Clarkson did frequently get into issues with his opinions and comments - including criticising the government on a range of issues and mocking the then PM's disability - but the BBC didn't sack him for them, despite being one of their most notable entertainment presenters. That's probably the closest precedent case and I think it's hard to argue that Lineker has gone as far as Clarkson did.
Morgan would create issues, although I don't think his views are substantively different from Andrew Neil's (if more vocally expressed), but it depends on whether he was in a current affairs or entertainment role.