Author JK Rowling has criticized the arrest of Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, who was detained by police at Heathrow Airport over social media posts.
Rowling described the incident as “deplorable,” warning that the UK is becoming “totalitarian” in its treatment of free speech.
What the fuck has the UK become? This is totalitarianism. Utterly deplorable. https://t.co/CRl2n9rorh
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2025
Linehan, 57, said he was arrested by five armed officers after arriving from Arizona. He claimed he was taken into custody for three tweets, one of which suggested that trans-identifying men in female-only spaces were committing “violent, abusive acts.” Another tweet mocked a protest image, while a third expressed hostility toward trans activists.
According to Linehan, the stress of the arrest caused his blood pressure to spike, leading to a hospital visit before he was released on bail. He is now prohibited from using X (formerly Twitter) as part of his bail conditions.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest, stating that it was related to “inciting violence” in online posts. Officers emphasized that while they carry firearms at airports, weapons were not drawn during the incident.
The arrest sparked political and media backlash. Piers Morgan called the move “absolutely ridiculous,” comparing the UK to North Korea on free speech. Conservative MP Neil O’Brien said Britain had become a “laughing stock,” while Labour MP Jonathan Hinder called for a reset in policing priorities.
Linehan, who also co-created The IT Crowd, has faced professional and personal setbacks in recent years due to his outspoken criticism of trans rights activism. His trial on separate charges related to alleged harassment is expected to begin this week.
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