Ted’s father Creator Graham Linehan has said he will not face “further action” after being arrested by the Metropolitan Police at Heathrow Airport in September on suspicion of inciting violence over social media posts about trans issues.
The 57-year-old Irish comedian was arrested after flying from Arizona for three posts he made on X.
This arrest provoked criticism Harry Potter Author JK Rowling was among those who reacted angrily.
Linehan said in a social media post on Monday: “The police have informed my solicitors that I will not be taking any further action in relation to the arrest at Heathrow in September.
After a successful bail hearing (one that the police officer in charge of the case didn’t even bother to attend) the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the case.
He said he would work to hold the police “to account” for the incident, alongside the Free Speech Union, which plans to sue the Metropolitan Police over the illegal arrest.
“Throughout this investigation, the police have acted like activists, not neutral supporters of the law,” the Free Speech Union said in a post on X.
They added: “Instead of inviting Graham for an interview in September, Method sent five armed police officers to arrest him at Heathrow Airport.”
So, we don’t stop here. “Police forces cannot continue to suppress legitimate free speech without facing consequences.”
He was arrested “like a terrorist”.
Linehan previously shared more details of the arrest on his blog. He claimed he was “flagged” and “arrested at an airport like a terrorist”.
He wrote: “The moment I got off the plane at Heathrow there were five armed police officers waiting. Not one, not two – five.”
They escorted me to a private area and told me I was being detained for three tweets.
He re-shared posts originally published in April, one of which urged people to “call the police” about unidentified people and “if all else fails, kick him in the balls.”
Another post showed a crowd of people at a rally, many holding transgender and LGBT+ Pride flags, and captioned it: “A photo you can smell.”
The third post, which he claimed led to his arrest, was in response to someone who had commented on the photo, where he said: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes.
He claimed his belt, bag and devices were confiscated as he was shown to a small green-tiled cell with a two-story, silver toilet and questioned about his posts, which he said were “a serious point made in jest”.
Separately, Linehan faces charges of harassing trans activist Sophia Brooks.
He has denied harassing her on social media between October 11 and 27, 2024, and has also denied criminal damage to her mobile phone to the value of £369 on October 19, 2024.
A trial began in September but was postponed.
