The co-creator of the British sitcom “Father Ted” found himself in legal trouble at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday, reportedly due to several social media posts criticizing transgender advocates.
Graham Linehan recounted the ordeal on his Substack, saying there were signs of something strange happening before he landed in London.
The former comedy writer explained that a U.S. gate agent informed him he lacked a seat on his return flight, necessitating a new ticket issuance—a detail he initially overlooked. After his arrest, Linehan speculated on Substack that he was targeted because “someone, somewhere, likely with unconvincing make-up” made a complaint.
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, herself a vocal critic of transgender activism, condemned the arrest, writing in disbelief, “What the f— has the U.K. become? This is totalitarianism. Completely unacceptable.”
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe said, “Linehan today, you tomorrow. Make your objections known now.”
Conservative MP Neil O’Brien echoed this sentiment on X, commenting that Britain has become “a complete farce—arresting comedy writers for their tweets. It would be amusing if it weren’t so grave.”
Furthermore, conservative advocate Robby Starbuck criticized the U.K., asserting that the nation lacks “free speech” and prioritizes “the feelings of transgenders [and] migrants over everyone’s rights.”
J.K. Rowling speaks up on transgender people invading women’s spaces. (Getty Images)
The Free Speech Union, an organization dedicated to the defense of freedom of expression, also condemned the arrest and vowed to support Linehan.
On X, an organization voiced its support for Graham, stating that they do not believe his arrest or the set bail conditions were lawful, promising full support in his challenge against the “ridiculous allegations and excessive police response.”
Lord Toby Young of Acton confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Free Speech Union would be paying for Linehan’s legal team.
“The over-zealous policing of social media posts by the British police is turning the country into an international laughingstock,” Young told Fox News Digital. “It’s particularly egregious, given that the police only respond to one in five shoplifting offenses and 75% of burglaries went unsolved last year. They are policing our tweets at the expense of policing our streets.”
