Susie Dent from Countdown posted a topical ‘word of the day’ that could be a veiled jab at the BBC amidst the ranks surrounding Gary Lineker’s political views.
The TV star chose the word last night to be ‘mumpsimuses’, which she defines as: ‘Those who insist they are right and apportion blame to others without looking at themselves.’
Comments flooded in pointing to the timing of Susie’s tweet, with Gary Lineker pulling out of Match of the Day yesterday following a ‘breach’ of the guidelines.
One Twitter user gave an ‘example’ of the word, referencing a tweet from Conservative MP Nadine Dorries which said: “Gary Lineker needs to decide if he is a football presenter or Labor Party candidate though.”
Another user added: “Susie you really are a legend. I guess you’re boycotting the football show tomorrow.”
Susie Dent’s word of the day choice was ‘mumpsimuses’, which comes up in the middle of Gary Lineker’s ranks.
Comments flooded in to call attention to Susie’s choice of word timing last night.
The Tweet comes just as Match of the Day presenter Lineker was asked to step down from his role at the BBC over his outspoken views.
Criticizing the government’s new asylum plans earlier this week, he tweeted: “Not a huge influx. We accept far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy targeting the most vulnerable people in language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s.”
The BBC claimed that Lineker’s social media activity was a breach of the guidelines, adding that he “will stand back from presenting Match of the Day” until a “clear and agreed position” is established around his use of social media. .
They said: ‘The BBC have been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team over the last few days. We have said that we consider his recent activity on social media to be a violation of our guidelines.
‘When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We’ve never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have an opinion on issues that matter to him, but we’ve said that he should stay away from taking sides on party politics or political controversies. ‘
Since the controversy began, numerous celebrities and politicians have expressed their support for the soccer personality.
Last night TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan harshly criticized the BBC for its “weak” approach to the situation.
Host Gary Lineker withdrew from Match of the Day following a guidelines violation
The tweets come as ranks surrounding Gary Lineker’s outspoken views reverberate across
‘THAT? How pathetically cowardly… I now demand that the BBC suspend all presenters who have made public comment on news or current affairs, starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar,’ he tweeted.
He later added: “It’s crazy that Britain has become a country where having an opinion can cost you your job.” If we don’t cherish and fiercely protect free speech, even for opinions we personally despise, we’re no better than totalitarian regimes like China and North Korea.”
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also added yesterday: ‘Where is the political support? Gary is right to denounce this morally repugnant policy, to express his solidarity with refugees fleeing oppression, and to learn lessons from the 1930s that began with language that dehumanized minorities.
‘Footballers showing more guts than parliamentarians’.
Regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson said that he and other talking heads have also pledged not to participate in the upcoming show.
He said: ‘As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to pull out of the (Saturday) broadcast for the night.
“We take solace that football fans who want to watch their teams can still do so, as management can use the World Feed comments if they want.”
He added: “Given the circumstances, we don’t think it’s appropriate to participate in the show.”
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also tweeted on Friday: “Everyone knows what Match of the Day means to me but I told the BBC I won’t do it tomorrow.” Solidarity.’
Then former Newcastle star Alan Shearer said he would do the same.
A source close to Match Of The Day told MailOnline that even the production team were “considering walking in support of Gary Lineker and contacted his union”.
However, they were wary of going ahead, because since ‘there has been no vote, they will not be protected by law’.
