‘That image does not reflect my views’ - Gary Lineker apologises for online post about Zionism with picture of rat

Gary Lineker was criticised over an image he shared, then quickly deleted (PA)

Gary Lineker has “apologised unreservedly” for an Instagram story about Zionism which featured a picture of a rat, saying: “I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.”

It comes as the director general of the BBC Tim Davie has said people need to follow the broadcaster's social media rules when asked about the row involvingn the football pundit.

Lineker came under criticism on Tuesday after he shared, then deleted, a post on his Instagram account from the group, Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: "Zionism explained in two minutes."

A statement given to the PA news agency said: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.

“I very much regret these references.

“I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic.

It goes against everything I believe in.

“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.

“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.

“I take full responsibility for this mistake.

“That image does not reflect my views.

“It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly."

Rats, linked to disease and dirt, has been used to represent Jews in anti-semitic propaganda throughout history, including by the Nazis in 1930s Germany.

Lineker's agent told the BBC the presenter immediately deleted the post when he learned about the image's symbolism, which he had previously not appreciated.

Mr Davie, after giving a wide-ranging speech, speaking of trust, disinformation and impartiality, was asked if Lineker had broken the BBC's rules.

Mr Davie, speaking at The Lowry arts centre in Salford, said: "The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.

"And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that."

Charity, the Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Lineker to be sacked.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "Gary Lineker really has the worst luck when it comes to campaigning for his causes without aligning himself with extremists and anti-semites.

"Not only does this video deliberately misrepresent Zionism - the belief that Jews have the same right to self-determination as everyone else - but it adds a rat emoji in doing so.

"Perhaps Mr Lineker is not as naive or accident prone as he might like us to believe.

"As the BBC's highest-paid presenter and owner of a major media enterprise, maybe he knows exactly what he's doing.

"We will be submitting a complaint to the BBC over this latest post. Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Mr Lineker's continued association with the BBC is untenable. He must go."

Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy.

And he was among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.

The documentary was pulled from the BBC'S streaming service in February after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.

The corporation has apologised and admitted "serious flaws" in the making of the film and the matter is still subject to an internal investigation.

Last November, Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day, but will still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.

Lineker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest is History series and its spin-offs about Politics, Football, Entertainment and Money.

Lineker's agent has been contacted by PA Media for comment.

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