The creator of the hit TV shows 'Father Ted,' 'The IT Crowd,' and 'Black Books,' Graham Linehan, was arrested at Heathrow Airport upon his arrival from Arizona.
The Metropolitan Police arrested the 57-year-old on suspicion of 'inciting violence' in relation to three social media posts he published on X in April.
Linehan, who has become a prominent and controversial figure in the debate on transgender issues, stated that the posts related to him 'challenging a trans-identified male in a female-only space.' After his arrest and questioning, Linehan was taken to a hospital for observation after his blood pressure spiked to 'stroke territory.' He was later discharged and released on bail pending further investigation.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 50s was arrested and subsequently bailed but did not identify Linehan by name.
They also confirmed that officers policing airports are routinely armed, but that firearms were not used or drawn during the arrest.
The incident has reignited a contentious political debate on both sides of the Atlantic regarding the legal and regulatory oversight of social media posts.
The arrest prompted a backlash from various figures, including author J.K.
Rowling.
Downing Street declined to comment directly on the arrest, calling it an 'operational matter for the police' and reiterated the government's priorities are tackling issues like antisocial behavior, shoplifting, and street crime.
The case of Lucy Connolly, a woman jailed for a post about asylum seekers, has also been drawn into the discussion, with political figures like Nigel Farage planning to raise it in a testimony about online regulation.
The Metropolitan Police arrested the 57-year-old on suspicion of 'inciting violence' in relation to three social media posts he published on X in April.
Linehan, who has become a prominent and controversial figure in the debate on transgender issues, stated that the posts related to him 'challenging a trans-identified male in a female-only space.' After his arrest and questioning, Linehan was taken to a hospital for observation after his blood pressure spiked to 'stroke territory.' He was later discharged and released on bail pending further investigation.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 50s was arrested and subsequently bailed but did not identify Linehan by name.
They also confirmed that officers policing airports are routinely armed, but that firearms were not used or drawn during the arrest.
The incident has reignited a contentious political debate on both sides of the Atlantic regarding the legal and regulatory oversight of social media posts.
The arrest prompted a backlash from various figures, including author J.K.
Rowling.
Downing Street declined to comment directly on the arrest, calling it an 'operational matter for the police' and reiterated the government's priorities are tackling issues like antisocial behavior, shoplifting, and street crime.
The case of Lucy Connolly, a woman jailed for a post about asylum seekers, has also been drawn into the discussion, with political figures like Nigel Farage planning to raise it in a testimony about online regulation.
