Gary Lineker leaves BBC staff 'disgusted' and 'deeply upset' as sack threat grows

staff are reportedly "disgusted" that has not been sacked for his recent social media actions. The outgoing host re-posted a cartoon image of a rat accompanied by a video that showed Canadian- lawyer Diana Buttu attacking Israel's war in Gaza.

Campaign Against Anti-Semitism , who has removed the post from his story, and his alleged endorsement of the emoji, as rats were regularly used as tropes by Nazi Germany to depict Jewish people. claim that a group of BBC figures say the corporation's refusal to sack Lineker is "deeply upsetting to its Jewish staff".

One anonymous Jewish member of staff said: "It is quite simply disgusting that the BBC has not kicked Lineker out. His repeated offensiveness to Jewish people has clearly brought the BBC into disrepute. The interpretation of Zionism he has shared is anti-Semitic and the fact that the BBC thinks it's acceptable is deeply upsetting to its Jewish staff, myself included."

Another BBC insider felt that a "perfect opportunity" was missed to dismiss Lineker, who is relinquishing his position as MOTD host at the end of the season. He will continue to front the BBC's coverage of the and the , however.

"He's the perfect example of someone who doesn't think the rules apply to them and abuses them at every turn - the type highlighted in the culture review, published no more than a fortnight ago," the unnamed member of staff said.

While another added: "The BBC's endless willingness to overlook his apparent anti-Semitism dressed as Palestinian advocacy constantly makes Jewish staff feel how little they matter to the corporation. Perhaps Lineker lacks the sophistication to know the difference but what's senior management's excuse?"

A spokesperson for Lineker said that the 64-year-old was unaware of the connotations surrounding the image and deleted it upon learning that information.

They explained: "Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post," he added. "Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has been removed."

Tim Davie, the director general of the , has responded to growing sack calls by admitting that posts such as Lineker's "costs us" and Beeb employees need to follow guidelines set out for social media use.

"The 's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us," he said. "And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of values and follow our social media policies, simple as that."

Lineker, who earned £1.35 million for his BBC duties last year, is widely regarded as one of the country's finest broadcasters. But the Beeb are .

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said "he must go now" and former director of BBC television Danny Cohen added fuel to the fire by adding: "Gary Lineker appears to have shared content about the Jewish State which echoes Nazi propaganda. This is utterly grim.

"The BBC's director general Tim Davie has a simple question to answer: does he tolerate the BBC's flagship presenters sharing content that has historically been used as an anti-Semitic slur?"