Match of the Day: Host Gary Lineker benched.

The BBC has suspended Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day following his controversial Twitter comments about the government’s immigration proposals.

Earlier this week Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced new immigration plans in an attempt to control the flow of small boats crossing illegally over the English Channel.

Writing about the policy on his personal Twitter account, Lineker described it as an “immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.

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The inference that the British government is comparable to Nazi Germany drew much condemnation, although simultaneously many have defended the presenter’s right to free speech and to express private opinions on his non-work accounts.

The BBC, however, has insisted that on-screen talent must remain impartial on political issues and have now suspended him until a resolution is agreed.

The corporation said in a statement: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.