Countdown’s Susie Dent has veiled swipe at Gary Lineker’s critics with her latest ‘word of the day’ 

• Susie Dent’s word of the day was “Mumpsimuses” amid rows of Gary Lineker
• She defined this as people “who insist they are right and apportion blame”.
• The tweet comes as controversy continues over Gary Lineker’s anti-Tory political views

Susie Dent from Countdown shared a timely ‘word of the day’ that could be a veiled dig at the BBC amid rows over Gary Lineker’s political views.

Numerous comments drew attention to the bold timing of Susie’s tweet last night, as Gary Lineker resigned from the game of the day after a controversial “policy breach”.

The TV star chose yesterday’s word “mumppsimuses,” which she defined as: “Those who insist they’re right and blame others without even looking at themselves.”

A Twitter user gave an “example” of the word, referring to a tweet by Tory MP Nadine Dorries, which said: “Gary Lineker has to make a choice though, is he a footie presenter or a Labor candidate Party?”

Another user added: “Susie you really are a legend – I assume you’re boycotting the presentation of the football program tomorrow.”

The tweet comes as Match of the Day presenter Lineker resigned from his role at the BBC after outspoken tweets, with a resolution pending.

He criticized the government’s new asylum plans earlier this week, saying: “There is not a big influx. We take in far fewer refugees than other large European countries.

“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy aimed at the weakest, in language not dissimilar to the language used in Germany in the 1930s.”

The BBC claimed this was a breach of policy, adding that Lineker would “resign from presenting the Match of the Day” until an “consensual and clear position” on his social media use was established.

It said: “The BBC have had extensive discussions with Gary and his team over the last few days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity a violation of our policies.

“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We never said that Gary should be in a no-opinion zone or that he cannot have an opinion on issues important to him, but we did say that he should refrain from taking sides on partisan issues or political controversies. ‘

Since the controversy began, numerous celebrities and politicians have expressed their support for the football personality.

Last night TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan criticized the BBC for its “spineless” approach to the situation.

‘WTF? How pathetic spineless… I now call on the BBC to suspend any presenter who has made public comment on news or current affairs – starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar,” Morgan tweeted.

He later added: “It’s absolutely insane that the UK has become a country where having an opinion can cost you your job. If we don’t uphold and strictly protect freedom of expression, even for views we personally despise, we are no better than totalitarian regimes like China and North Korea.”

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also said yesterday: “Where’s the political support? Gary is right when he denounces these morally repugnant policies, expresses solidarity with refugees fleeing oppression, and draws lessons from the 1930s that began with language that dehumanized minorities.

“Footballers show more backbone than MPs.”

Regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson shared that he and other speakers have vowed not to take part in the next programme.

He said: “As commentators from MOTD, we have decided to step down [Saturday] night broadcast.

“We are reassured that football fans who wish to see their teams can continue to do so as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish.

“Under the circumstances, we do not consider it appropriate to participate in the program.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also tweeted on Friday: “Everyone knows what Match of the Day means to me but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.’

Then former Newcastle star Alan Shearer said he would follow suit, with “#BoycottMOTD” now trending on Twitter.

A source close to Match Of The Day told MailOnline that even the production team was “thinking about supporting Gary Lineker and have contacted her union”.

They were wary of going ahead, however, because since “there has been no voting action, they are not protected by the law.”