TheBBCs highest-paid presenterGary Linekerwas suspended and swiftly reinstated in March during an impartiality meltdown that rocked the British broadcaster.
Diary extracts and emails reveal thatDavie was in contact with a senior government officialon the day of Linekers suspension.
Lineker woke up to 237 Whatsapp messages, which he later blamed on theMailfront page.
BBC Director General Tim DavieGetty
Instead of ignoring the scandal, he doubled down.
Ill continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice, he added.
Davie was in Cardiff, Wales, for staff meetings the same morning.
Lucy FrazerGetty
He traveled back to his house near Henley in the afternoon and worked from home.
This included a weekly strategy meeting with Richard Sharp, the BBCs outgoing Chairman.
March 9, ThursdayLineker was again plastered over the front of UK national newspapers.
At 2.20PM, Lineker tweeted: Well, its been an interesting couple of days.
Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating.
Sources said the BBCs position hardened that afternoon.
Deadline understands that the corporation wanted Lineker to make a statement admitting his tweet was wrong.
At 5.30PM, BBC Chairman Sharp had a pre-arranged phone call with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office denied that Lineker was discussed.
Payne instructed her assistant to organize the call with Davies office.
With Davie in Washington, the BBC was represented by content chief Moore.
Holmes refused and warned Moore that taking his client off air would create more problems than it solved.
At 3.30PM, Davie called Moore for an update.
Lineker did not comment.
At 5.30PM, Payne called Davie.
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer were among those who took a stand.
The BBC apologized for the disruption to its schedules.
Lineker maintained his silence.
As the BBC was in chaos at home, Davie was still in Washington.
At 5PM, he gathered the BBCs executive committee, an operational board of senior managers.
Chief Content Officer Moore and Deborah Turness, the BBCs CEO of news, sit on the committee.
He denied any political influence and said that he wanted to get Lineker back on air.
The BBC said it would launch a review of social media guidelines for its freelance stars.
Lineker agreed to abide by existing guidelines.
He did not apologize for his tweet, nor did he delete the message.
Davie updated the BBC executive committee at 5PM.
Just after 10AM, the BBC announced that Lineker would be restored to his presenting position.
It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
Lineker said: I am glad that we have found a way forward.
I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.
