The Chancellor is the most recent in a line of Tory MPs to criticise Match of the Day host Gary Lineker for his “tasteless” tweet that likened the government’s new immigration policy to Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
The BBC should be reestablished as having no “political agenda,” according to Mr. Hunt, who spoke to Sophy Ridge on Sunday’s Sky News.
“We need to make sure that what comes out of this is that people’s confidence in the impartiality of the BBC is restored,” he continued.
Though he claimed he “personally, profoundly disagrees” with Mr. Lineker, Mr. Hunt refrained from demanding an apology from him.
“I don’t agree with his comments and I personally think that he was wrong to say what he said, but I don’t think it’s for me to decide how that issue is resolved,” the 56-year-old stated.
“If you believe in BBC independence, then it’s not for the chancellor or any other government minister to say how these issues are resolved.”
Mr. Hunt responded that it was not for him “to make those judgements” when asked if the corporation’s leadership was too close to the party in power.
After criticising the Illegal Migration Bill, which prohibits immigrants who arrive in Britain on tiny boats from living there, on Twitter, Mr. Lineker triggered a significant backlash.
In accordance with the law, migrants will be arrested right away and sent back within 28 days, either to their country of origin or to a safe third state.
In a dispute over impartiality following the inflammatory comments, he was instructed to withdraw from hosting MOTD until a “clear position” on his social media use is decided.
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