Graham Linehan arrest ignites free speech debate after Met police chief urges law reform

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has responded to the controversial arrest of Graham Linehan earlier this week, saying that police “should not be policing toxic culture war debates.”

Linehan’s arrest over anti-trans posts has sparked heated debate in the UK over freedom of speech.

He has recognized “concern caused by such incidents given differing perspectives on the balance between free speech and the risks of inciting violence in the real world” and has offered to provide suggestions to the Home Office about clarifying the law and policy within weeks.

“Greater clarity and common sense would enable us to limit the resources we dedicate to tackling online statements to those cases creating real threats in the real world,” he said.

His comments come after Linehan, who also co-created the beloved comedy show Black Books and is a vocal critic of the trans-rights movement, said that he was arrested at Heathrow Airport in relation to posts about trans people on X.

The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer was arrested under the Public Order Act on suspicion of inciting violence, was detained by five armed officers, and was questioned over his posts.

In a statement issued by the force, which read, “After being taken into police custody, officers became concerned for his health, and he was taken to hospital. His condition is neither life-threatening nor life-changing.”

Linehan’s arrest prompted backlash over police resources and sparked heated debate in the UK over free speech.

A renowned writer J.K. Rowling also shared her stance, posting on X: “What the f**k has the UK become? This is totalitarianism. Utterly deplorable.”

In response to the allegations that the UK was now a “totalitarian” state, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson said, “No.”

Graham Linehan is currently facing two separate cases. In one, he’s been bailed under investigation for allegedly inciting violence through social media posts targeting the trans community but has not been charged yet.