FATHER Ted creator Graham Linehan has doubled down on his “anti-trans” social media posts, saying he has “no regrets”.
The comedy writer, 57, was controversially swooped on by armed cops at Heathrow Airport after posting three tweets.
News Group Newspapers ltdThe Irish comedy writer appeared at Westminster magistrates Court[/caption]
– Commissioned by The SunLinehan has now fiercely defended his tweets, saying he has ‘no regrets’[/caption]
News Group Newspapers ltdLinehan was accused of ‘inciting violence’ after the tweets[/caption]
Linehan was accused of “inciting violence” and detained as soon as he disembarked a plane from his current hometown of Arizona, US.
He has vowed to sue the Metropolitan Police after he claimed he was “treated like a terrorist” during his arrest.
The IT Crowd co-creator said he was escorted to hospital because the stress caused his blood pressure to skyrocket at the airport.
The comedian’s arrest sparked fierce backlash and concern on social media from high-profile figures as well as the general public.
Linehan has now fiercely defended his tweets, telling the BBC: “I don’t regret anything I’ve tweeted.
“Sometimes I’ve tweeted a bit more out of anger, because of the frustration that no-one’s paying attention to this issue.
“Women have a right to defend themselves from strange men in their spaces.”
Describing the circumstances of his arrest, he revealed the moment he knew “something was up” as he was confronted by cops.
He continued: “I got very, very angry, because for eight years now, I’ve been standing up for women’s rights.
“I didn’t expect it to be what it turned out to be.
“Then they called my name out and I think I immediately knew what was going to happen.”
One tweet Linehan alleges he was arrested over read: “If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act.
“Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls.”
Another tweet was a picture of a trans demonstration and he wrote above it: “A photo you can smell.”
The third was a follow up which read: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”
Linehan has since released audio of the exact moment he was arrested on his Substack blog.
Cops told him: “It is alleged that on the 19th April 2025 you published a post on X intended to instil hatred and incite violence.”
After being told he is under arrest for the posts on X, formerly Twitter, a furious Linehan shouts: “It’s just disgraceful.
“Holy s**t, I don’t f***ing believe it. I’m under arrest!? I’m going to sue you into the ground. How dare you?”
Linehan is then quizzed about whether he is on any medication.
The comedian then yelled: “It’s f***ing infuriating. You scumbags are working for f***ing ***holes who go into women’s toilets.”
Linehan then criticises the police for targeting him for “standing up for women’s rights” in the audio recorded during the arrest.
The Father Ted creator wrote on his blog: “The moment I stepped off the plane at Heathrow, five armed police officers were waiting.
“Not one, not two—five. They escorted me to a private area and told me I was under arrest for three tweets.
“I was arrested at an airport like a terrorist, locked in a cell like a criminal, taken to hospital because the stress nearly killed me…
“…and banned from speaking online—all because I made jokes that upset some psychotic crossdressers.
“To me, this proves one thing beyond doubt: the UK has become a country that is hostile to freedom of speech, hostile to women….
“…too accommodating to the demands of violent, entitled, abusive men who have turned the police into their personal goon squad.”
Linehan said he was taken to hospital as a result of his arrest
He revealed the moment he knew ‘something was up’ as he was confronted by cops
Linehan shared a photo seemingly from hospital and screenshots of his tweets.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was among those who criticised Linehan’s arrest.
He said: “The Graham Linehan case is yet another example of the war on freedom in the UK.
“I will discuss this, the Lucy Connolly case and the increasing role of our police in non-crime ‘hate’ incidents on Capitol Hill tomorrow.
“Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”
JK Rowling wrote on X: “What the f*** has the UK become? This is totalitarianism. Utterly deplorable.”
He previously criticised the Harry Potter author for not speaking out for him during backlash over his views.
Linehan who has also written for Brass Eye and The Fast Show, has a long-standing history of criticising the trans-rights movement.
Rowling has also come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people.
Meanwhile, Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick described the incident as “ridiculous and a complete waste of police time”.
Downing Street declined to comment on Linehan’s arrest, saying it was “an operational matter for the police”.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister and home secretary have been clear about their priorities for crime and policing.
“That’s tackling anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, as well as reducing serious violent crimes like knife crime and violence against women.”
Piers Morgan called the arrest “absolutely ridiculous” and added: “When it comes to free speech, Britain’s turning into North Korea.”
Linehan also appeared in court last week after clashing with trans activist Sophia Brooks online.
He told cops he threw her phone into the road because of a taunt over his divorce, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
The Irish writer, said the student, then 17, repeatedly approached while filming him on a mobile phone.
In a prepared statement to cops, he said: “The taunting was completely unnecessary, as was the filming.“
“In response I grabbed the phone and threw it to one side.
“I am sure that is precisely the kind of response he had wanted so he could complain about me.
“However, I had had enough of the continued harassment and needed to stop him taunting me any further.
In court, he also accused officers of being “ideologically captured” by the trans rights movement.
He denies harassing Brooks, now 18, and criminal damage.
District Judge Briony Clarke adjourned the trial to October 29.
Author JK Rowling was critical of his controversial arrest
AlamyLinehan performs as part of a Comedy Unleashed stand up show outside the Scottish Parliament[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
