Laurence Fox taken down by Gary Lineker over Homes for Ukraine scheme

Laurence Fox has been left with his foot in his mouth after clashing with Gary Lineker on social media about housing refugees from Ukraine.

The actor and musician hit back at Lineker's son George after he disputed a tweet from Fox's Reclaim Party criticising the government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Fox told George Lineker: "Just because you, like me, grew up with all the privilege in the world, doesn’t mean you have the privilege to lecture hard working people on how to virtue signal. Leave that to your dad. He has a profile, at least. Jog on."

Read more: Benedict Cumberbatch offers his home to refugees fleeing Ukraine

To which the Match Of The Day host shot back: "You should have done the same, and left it to your dad."

Fox — best known for playing detective James Hathaway in long-running ITV drama Lewis — is a member of the Fox acting dynasty. His father is James Fox, his uncle is Edward Fox and his cousins are Freddie and Emilia Fox.

Deputy leader of Fox's political party Martin Daubney had tweeted: "When @BorisJohnson @GaryLineker and @YvetteCooperMP take in a refugee, the rest of us can follow."

But Lineker and his son George quickly pointed out that that the former footballer and TV presenter had already shared his home with a refugee two years ago.

Gary tweeted: "You should probably have plucked out another name. I went first…and second…..and will continue to host. If any of you would like do the same, @RefugeesAtHome are amazing."

Watch: Brit flying to Poland to offer his home directly to a Ukrainian refugee

And his eldest son George replied: "Get your facts right fella."

This is what prompted Fox to lash out at George, telling him: "His facts are right 'fella'."

Fox become the centre of a media storm after voicing controversial opinions on political debate show Question Time in January 2020.

During the coronavirus pandemic he has been outspoken against lockdown restrictions and in May 2021 he stood for London Mayor, only to lose his £10k after getting just 1.8 per cent of votes.

Lineker has said that hosting a refugee at his Surrey home was a "hugely positive experience" and he would "definitely" do it again.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has announced the Homes for Ukraine scheme, under which people can nominated an individual or family fleeing the Ukraine to stay in their home for up to six months. He added households will be offered £350 a month to help with the costs.

Read more: Gary Lineker 'heartbroken' over BBC report on Ukraine's child cancer patients

Russian president Vladimir Putin began his military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, prompting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to attempt to flee the country.

Watch: Laurence Fox's reputation was left in tatters after this appearance on Question Time