Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the trans community, which some readers may find distressing.
Graham Linehan, the writer who created TV shows such as Father Ted and The I.T. Crowd, claims to have been arrested for his ‘gender-critical tweets’ about the transgender community.
The Irish screenwriter was previously best known for creating the iconic TV shows, but is now best known for his anti-trans tweets on X (formerly Twitter) and criticism of the transgender community.
Linehan shared the news of his alleged arrest on his Substack, claiming he was arrested by armed police immediately after setting foot in Heathrow Airport.
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The writer further claims he was arrested for three anti-trans tweets, which he also shared in the post.
The disturbing tweets hit out at trans women, commenting on the ongoing issues surrounding the EHRC judgement regarding single sex toilets in the UK.
He said in his first post: “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.”
In two follow-ups, he posted a picture of a trans rights rally, saying that it was a picture ‘you can smell’ before adding: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F**k 'em.”
Linehan has been released on bail under the condition that he not use X.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “On Monday, September 1 at 13:00hrs officers arrested a man at Heathrow Airport after he arrived on an inbound American Airlines flight.
"The man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence. This is in relation to posts on X.
"After being taken to police custody, officers became concerned for his health and he was taken to hospital. His condition is neither life-threatening nor life-changing. He has now been bailed pending further investigation.”
The writer posted on his Substack recounting the incident, claiming that 'the moment' he 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, and far too accommodating to the demands of violent, entitled, abusive men who have turned he police into their personal goon squad."
Linehan has previously been widely criticised for his anti-transgender rhetoric, which led to his Twitter account being permanently suspended in 2020 for 'hateful content'.
His account was reinstated by Elon Musk when he took over and changed the site into X.
LADbible Group has contacted the Met Police for additional comment.
Topics: Twitter, TV and Film, TV, Celebrity, LGBTQ
Michael Slavin