Rishi Sunak said the row involving Gary Lineker and the BBC is “a matter for them, not the Government” as he acknowledged “not everyone will always agree” with his new asylum policy.

The controversy began when Lineker was taken off air by the BBC for a tweet which compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.

This is the first time the prime minister has commented since the BBC stopped Lineker from hosting Match Of The Day.

Sunak said he hopes the dispute can be “resolved in a timely manner”.

News Shopper: Gary Lineker was taken off air by the BBCGary Lineker was taken off air by the BBC (Image: PA/BBC)

Rishi Sunak responds to row between Gary Lineker and the BBC

The prime minister continued to defend his proposals to permanently ban asylum seekers who arrive in the UK on unauthorised small boats.

In a statement, Mr Sunak said: “As Prime Minister, I have to do what I believe is right, respecting that not everyone will always agree. That is why I have been unequivocal in my approach to stopping the boats.

“Gary Lineker was a great footballer and is a talented presenter. I hope that the current situation between Gary Lineker and the BBC can be resolved in a timely manner, but it is rightly a matter for them, not the Government.

“While that process is ongoing, it is important that we maintain perspective, particularly given the seriousness of the issue at hand. Forty-five thousand people crossed the channel illegally last year, many of whom have been exploited or trafficked by criminal gangs, putting their lives in danger.

“We need to break this cycle of misery once and for all and the policy we set out this week I believe aims to do just that. It is not only the fair and moral thing to do, it is also the compassionate thing to do.

“There are no easy answers to solving this problem, but I believe leadership is about taking the tough decisions to fix problems. I know not everyone will always agree, but I do believe this is fair and right.”