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Gary Lineker found himself at the centre of a furious social media backlash after he described some attitudes towards young refugees in Britain as “hideously racist”.

The former England striker and Match of the Day host posted the tweet after the first wave of young refugees arrived in London from the notorious Calais Jungle camp.

He tweeted: “The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What's happening to our country?”

The comment prompted a storm of abuse from some tweeters who demanded Mr Lineker take refugees into his own home to back up the remark.

Fourteen teenage boys arrived in Croydon on Monday but some, including MPs, expressed fears that some of the group looked older than their supposed ages.

Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson replied: “They are not children you clown. If you care that much why don't you adopt one of these "children"

While William Stewart added: “How about we look after OUR own before other countries? Answer that one Lineker!”

The Home Office defended its age assessment process against criticism, saying it worked closely with French authorities to ensure refugees were qualified to claim asylum.