The Metropolitan Police will take no further action against the comedian and gender-critical activist Graham Linehan for three posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) in April 2025.
Mr Linehan, the creator of Father Ted and The IT Crowd, was met by five armed officers on landing at Heathrow Airport on 1 September 2025. He was arrested and detained on suspicion of Public Order Act offences, including the section 29B offence of using threatening words or behaviour intending to stir up hatred on grounds of sexual orientation.
The tweets, which by then were more than four months old, were critical of transgender men and, in one, said, “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.” The tweets did not identify or refer to any individuals.
Last week Mr Linehan successfully challenged his police bail conditions at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with District Judge Snow criticising the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the case. The police have now confirmed that Mr Linehan will not be charged in relation to the April tweets.
The Metropolitan Police said in a public statement on Monday, “We understand the concern around this case. The Commissioner has been clear he doesn’t believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position.”
Tom Beardsworth acted for Mr Linehan, instructed by Daniel Berke at 3D Solicitors and the Free Speech Union.
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