Gary Lineker has spoken out on Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, questioning how much the owner of the company "matters".
The Match Of The Day presenter and former England footballer says the course of Twitter will not change, despite the Canadian billionaire's pledge to promote more freedom of speech on the platform.
Musk has outlined his aim to unlock the "tremendous potential" the social media website has, after agreeing to a £34.5 billion takeover of the company.
Gary Lineker says Twitter can be 'brilliant' but also a 'cesspit'.
Image: PA
Despite Elon Musk's proposed series of changes, Gary Lineker used his Twitter account to voice his scepticism over whether proposed revamps will come to fruition.
In a Tweet to his eight million followers, Lineker stated: "Does it matter who owns Twitter? It will no doubt continue to be both brilliant and a cesspit".
The Tesla and SpaceX boss is hoping to make Twitter the world's "digital town square" by allowing more freedom of speech.
The Tesla and SpaceX boss is hoping to unlock the 'tremendous potential' of the social media platform.
ALY SONG
Musk, the world’s wealthiest person and a prolific Twitter user, has a controversial past on the site and his taking the company private is likely to have substantial ramifications for a platform used by more than 300 million people, including many world leaders.
The presenter often uses his Twitter platform to deliver his outspoken views.
Ian Walton
As the takeover was confirmed on Monday, the first thing Mr Musk mentioned in his statement on the issue was free speech, calling it the “bedrock of a functioning democracy”, and describing Twitter as the “digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated”.
In the past, the billionaire has self-identified as a “free speech absolutist” and suggested Twitter had failed to live up to its free speech principles and has been critical of its content moderation policies, arguing it has censored some voices.
Other figures have taken to Twitter to comment on Elon Musk's takeover of the platform, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said: "Freedom of speech is vital, but free speech does not mean a free pass for hatred.
Online hate speech fans the flames of prejudice and leads to appalling and tragic real-world violence. Social media companies must do more, not less, to protect their communities".
