Coverage of Lineker row proportionate, says BBC

The BBC has defended its news coverage of the Gary Lineker row as “proportionate, fair and duly impartial” after complaints that it was “excessive”.

Lineker, 62, was briefly suspended as host of Match of the Day this month after he criticised government asylum policy on Twitter, but went back on air after a boycott by colleagues.

Pundits and presenters dropped out of a number of the broadcaster’s football shows in solidarity with Lineker, causing two days of disruption to schedules.