LONDON — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on police to prioritize serious crime after comedian and writer Graham Linehan was arrested over gender-critical social media posts.
Linehan, best known as the creator of Father Ted, said he was detained by five armed officers at Heathrow Airport after returning from the United States. Describing the experience as being treated “like a terrorist,” Linehan claimed he was held in a cell and later taken to A&E due to stress.
The Metropolitan Police’s handling of the case has sparked widespread criticism, with concerns that law enforcement is increasingly targeting online speech while more pressing issues like shoplifting and violent crime rise.
Sir Keir condemned the arrest, emphasizing that police resources should be focused on tackling real threats and serious criminal activity, not individuals expressing opinions online.
Linehan has become a prominent critic of transgender ideology, often using social media to voice his views. His arrest is the latest in a series of cases raising questions about the boundaries of free speech in the UK.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, plans to raise Linehan’s case in Washington this week during discussions with allies of Donald Trump, focusing on issues of censorship and online freedom.
The case continues to fuel a national debate over the balance between protecting free speech and preventing online harassment, with many calling for clearer legal guidance on what constitutes criminal online behavior.
