Father Ted Creator Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Airport “In Connection with News on X.”
The 56-year-old Irish comedy writer – best known for creating Father Ted and the IT crowd – was flying to London from Arizona when he was allegedly arrested “for three tweets”.
He wrote on his blog: “The moment I got off the plane at Heathrow, there were five armed police officers waiting. Not one, not two – five. They escorted me to a private area and told me I was being arrested for three tweets.”
The Met Police told the Metro : “On Monday, September 1 at 1pm, officers arrested a man at Heathrow Airport after he arrived on an incoming American Airlines flight.
A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence. This is related to news X.
“After being taken into police custody, officers became concerned about his health and he was taken to hospital. His condition is neither life-threatening nor life-changing.”
“He has now been released pending further investigation.”
The spokesman added: “The arrest was made by officers from the MPS Aviation Unit. It is customary for officers to carry firearms at airports. They were not drawn or used at any time during the arrest.”
Later in the post, Linehan wrote about his experience: “I was arrested at the airport like a terrorist, locked in a cell like a criminal, taken to the hospital because the stress almost killed me, and banned from speaking online — all because I made jokes that upset some psychotic crusaders.”
“To me, this proves one thing beyond a doubt: Britain has become a country hostile to free speech, hostile to women and all too accommodating to the demands of violent, entitled, abusive men who have turned the police into their personal goon squad.”
Linean also shared that the accident caused his blood pressure to spike, writing, “Eventually, the nurse came to check me and found that my blood pressure was over 200 — shock territory.
“The stress of him being arrested for joking literally threatened my life! So I was taken to A&E, where I am writing this now after spending about eight hours being observed.”
He also shared with X the news that he claimed the police were arresting him.
One from April 20th said: “If a trans-identified man is in a women-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops, and if all else fails, kick him in the balls.”
The second tweet on April 19 was a picture of a trans rally with the caption: “A photo you can smell.”
Laws related to “incitement to violence” in the UK
In the UK, Hospitality Violence falls under a mix of criminal law and specific legislation on hate speech, terrorism and public order.
Penalties : Conviction can result in fines or imprisonment depending on the context (for example, terrorism offenses can carry lengthy prison terms).
General principle : Encouraging or assisting others to commit crimes – including violence – is itself a crime under the Serious Crime Act 2007. This applies even if violence does not actually occur.
Public Order Offenses : Under the Public Order Act 1986, it is unlawful to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior with the intention of inciting violence or hatred, or which is likely to produce such results.
Incitement to terrorism : The Terrorism Act 2006 makes it an offense to directly or indirectly promote terrorism, including praising terrorist acts that could incite others to violence.
Threshold : Courts look at whether the speech or act was intended or likely to incite violence. Importantly, actual violence does not have to occur for an offense to be committed.
The third was a follow-up to the rally image, which read: ‘I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.’
Since 2018, Linehan has become vocal in his opposition to trans rights, particularly regarding gender identification and access to facilities or healthcare, often attacking those he disagrees with on social media.
He has previously compared trans children to “Nazi experiments” and labeled trans rights activism “evil.”
This latest incident comes ahead of Linehan’s upcoming court appearance this month to face two charges, including one against Sophia Brooks, 18, a transgender activist, in October.
He was also issued a police warning in 2020 for allegedly harassing a trans activist online.
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