Met Police to stop investigating non-crime hate incidents after Graham Linehan ‘anti-trans’ probe dropped
The Metropolitan Police has announced it will stop investigating “non-criminal hate incidents” after deciding not to take further action. Father Ted Created by Graham Linehan.
The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer was arrested at Heathrow in September on suspicion of inciting violence over three social media posts about transgender issues.
His arrest sparked controversy, with criticism from politicians and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
The head of the Met Police has previously said officers were in an “impossible position” when dealing with statements made online.
A spokesman for the force said: “We understand the concerns surrounding this case.
“The Commissioner has made clear that he does not believe police officers should police toxic culture war debates; the current law and rules on encouraging online violence leave them in an impossible situation.
“As a result, the Met will no longer investigate non-criminal hate incidents. We believe this will give officers clearer guidance, reduce uncertainty and allow them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigation.”
Non-criminal hate incidents are incidents that are not considered crimes but are thought to arise from hatred towards specific characteristics, such as race or gender.
The Met spokesman continued: “These incidents will still be recorded and used as valuable pieces of intelligence to identify potential patterns of behavior or criminality.
“We will continue to investigate and arrest those who commit hate crimes, which will allow us to comply with legal mandates while focusing our resources on crime and public protection.”
Posting on social media on Monday, Linehan said: “Police have informed my lawyers that I do not face any further action in relation to the arrest at Heathrow in September.
“After a successful hearing to revoke my bail conditions (which the police officer in charge of the case did not even bother to attend) the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case.”
He said he would work to hold the police “accountable” for the incident, as well as the Free Expression League, which plans to sue the Metropolitan Police for wrongful arrest.
“Throughout this investigation, police acted as activists, not impartial defenders of the law,” the Free Expression Union said in a post on X/Twitter.
“Instead of inviting Graham for an interview in September, the Met sent five armed police officers to arrest him at Heathrow airport,” they added.
“So we won’t stop there. Police forces cannot continue to suppress lawful freedom of expression without suffering consequences.”
He was arrested ‘like a terrorist’
Linehan previously shared more details about the arrest on his blog. He claimed he was “marked” and “arrested at the airport like a terrorist.”
“The moment I got off the plane at Heathrow, five armed police were waiting for me. Not one, not two, but five,” he wrote.
“They escorted me to a private area and told me I was under arrest for three tweets.”
She reshared one of the posts, which was first published in April, urging people to “call the police” on trans-identified people and “if all else fails, punch him in the balls.”
Another post showed a crowd attending the protest, many of whom were transgender and carrying LGBT+ Pride flags, and wrote above it: “A photo you can smell.”
The third post, which he claims led to his arrest, was in response to someone who commented under this photo: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. Fuck them.”
He claimed that while he was taken to a small green-tiled cell with bunk beds and a silver toilet, his belt, bag and devices were confiscated and he was questioned about his posts, which he said were “a serious observation made as a joke”.
Separately, Linehan faces a lawsuit for allegedly harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks.
He denied harassing him on social media between 11 and 27 October 2024 and also denied a charge of criminal damage to his mobile phone worth £369 on 19 October 2024.
A trial began in September but was postponed.
