Well I would have to disagree with you there. I think it is safe to say that he did criticise the policy. He is not alone there.

The BBC are between a rock and a hard place on this one. Lineker knew that before he tweeted what he did. I said before that I doubt if he is that concerned about losing his job. It is not something that the BBC can threaten him with.

UK parties tend to support the BBC when they are not in power. They are less keen on it once they gain power.

I don't get the sense that the majority of the UK were that bothered by Lineker's tweet, even if they did not agree with it. Tory spin doctors probably welcomed it. We live in an age were it is getting harder and harder to have a serious debate about anything.