Irish comedian Graham Linehan was arrested in London on Monday due to social media posts considered anti-trans. The 57-year-old, known for his roles in shows like "The IT Crowd" and "Father Ted," reported that he was taken to the hospital after his blood pressure spiked, likely from the stress of the situation.
Linehan arrived at Heathrow Airport from Arizona when he was met by five armed police officers. They informed him he was under arrest for three specific posts he made on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In his op-ed for The Free Press, he expressed disbelief over the police’s response, especially given that serious crimes often go unpunished.
He described the officers as initially confused about the nature of his alleged offenses. However, during an interview, the tone shifted as one officer asked him about the content of his posts, which included a controversial statement about trans-identified individuals in female-only spaces. Linehan defended his comments, arguing they were intended as serious points made in jest.
A nurse later checked his blood pressure, which was alarmingly high, prompting his transfer to a hospital for observation. The police reportedly offered him bail with the condition that he refrain from posting on social media.
Linehan criticized the UK for what he sees as a growing hostility toward free speech and a disproportionate response to his online activities. He stated that he felt treated like a criminal for making jokes online. His posts included one that suggested violence against trans-identified individuals in certain spaces and another expressing disdain for certain groups.
This incident has sparked discussions about freedom of speech and the policing of social media content in the UK, raising questions about the balance between protecting individuals and allowing open expression.
