One-day window

The giant brains of the Two Marks came out this morning, to offer solutions to solve L'affaire Lineker. 

Former DG  Mark Thompson was on with Laura Kuenssberg, and former Controller Radio 4 Mark Damazer joined Paddy O'Connell. Markie D was surprisingly clear - reinstate Lineker now, no apology necessary, announce a 'public review' of social media activity by BBC 'names' outside News, lead by BBC Board members other than Richard Sharp, involving Ofcom, presenters, BBC staff, 'the public', to report in three months, and then decide next steps. 

Markie T said 'calm down'. 

There's a narrow, archery-style window to move ahead. Both Starmer and Sunak had been watching public opinion more attentively than Tim Davie; YouGov's instant poll came out pro-Lineker. Mr Starmer backed Gary; Mr Sunak indicated he wanted the matter  resolved quickly, which indicated that the Tory strategists recognised sacking was not an option; that losing Lineker would be laid at their door; and that a deal no longer needed a Lineker apology. 

So here's my draft news release. 

The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed that Match of the Day will be back to normal next week.  Both parties acknowledge that the issue between them has revealed wider inconsistencies in guidelines, guidance and contracts for presenters outside News and Current Affairs; it was more than unfortunate that matters escalated so quickly, in way that impacted on other BBC staff and the audience, which neither side wanted.  

There will be no change to current guidelines, and there's unlikely to be a change in the rules governing staff working on News and Current Affairs output. But the BBC will be instituting a review of the way it expects those working in other departments to conduct themselves on social media - remembering that social media is now an established and influential part of our national debate. This review will involve a panel of experts from outside the BBC, and we hope it will lead quickly to some clearer and simpler rules and processes for enforcing them, to be in place ideally from September.