Gary Lineker is to be “reminded of his responsibilities” by the BBC after comparing the Government’s new plans to stop illegal boat crossings with those used by Nazi Germany.

The Match of the Day host had called the Home Office’s newly announced Illegal Migration Bill an “immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".

The plans, unveiled by Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday, effectively bans those arriving via an illegal route from claiming asylum in the UK. 

Anyone caught attempting to enter the country illegally will also be barred from returning or from claiming British citizenship in the future. 

Appearing on LBC on Wednesday morning, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, whose wife and children are Jewish, said the ex-footballer should be “shown a red card” over his comments.

He said: “It was very inappropriate. What we are doing is taking robust but fair measures on behalf of the British public. 

“Gary Lineker is paid for by the British public, British taxpayers through the license fee and it is a shame he is so out of step with British public opinion right now.”

Earlier on Times Radio, he said: "My children are the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors and I think those sorts of words should not be thrown around lightly.

A spokesman for the BBC said Lineker, who made the comments over Twitter, said: "The BBC has social media guidance, which is published. 

“Individuals who work for us are aware of their responsibilities relating to social media. We have appropriate internal processes in place if required.

"We would expect Gary to be spoken to and reminded of his responsibilities."

Braverman 'disappointed' by Lineker's 'unhelpful' comparison 

Ms Braverman said she was “disappointed” by Lineker’s “unhelpful” comparison, calling the new measures “lawful, proportionate and compassionate”. 

She told the BBC: "I also think that we are on the side of the British people here.

"It's plain for anyone to see that the British people have had enough of this situation of thousands of people coming here illegally at huge cost to the taxpayer and undermining our laws, and, in fact, British generosity.

"That needs to stop, we need to take the necessary steps now to ensure that if you are coming here illegally you will be detained and you will be removed, and that's what this Bill will do."

Channel crossings have soared from an estimated 300 in 2018 to more than 45,0000 in 2022. 

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay said Lineker's comments were "foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful" and called on the BBC to sack him.

Mr Jenrick has insisted the "novel and creative" approach in the small boats Bill was compliant with international law.

He said: "As a lawyer, I studied the legal case myself and feel there are extremely compelling legal arguments behind everything that we are doing here.

"We wouldn't be proceeding unless we are confident that this is in line with our international law obligations and this will withstand legal challenge in our domestic courts."