Sore losers

Lineker set for BBC return this weekend | Bitter Tories launch attack on licence fee

- JOHN STEVENS, NICOLA METHVEN and LIZZY BUCHAN

THE Tories launched a new attack on the BBC last night as they sought revenge for the U-turn on Gary Lineker.

Telly bosses announced yesterday the Match of the Day presenter will be back on screens at the weekend after they called a truce with him.

But Tory MPs immediately went on the offensive and demanded the abolition of the licence fee.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former UK Business Secretary, said the €180-ayear charge has "passed its sell-by date and it needs to go".

But Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell hit back: "These Tory MPs are meant to believe in free speech but they're really just snowflakes. The ongoing uncertainty around the future of the BBC is a deliberate strategy to keep it over a barrel, making it susceptible to campaigns orchestrated by Ministers, MPs and the right-wing press.