Graham Linehan Arrested in UK for 'Anti-Trans' Social Media Posts

Arrest at Heathrow Airport

• 🎭 Graham Linehan, creator of 'The IT Crowd', was arrested at London Heathrow Airport upon arrival from Arizona.
• 👮‍♂️ He was detained by five armed Metropolitan Police officers and taken to a private area.
• 🐦 The arrest was reportedly for three posts made on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in April.

Content of the Posts

• 📢 One post from April 19th featured a photo of a trans rally with the caption, "A photo you can smell."
• 🚫 Another post on the same day stated, "I hate them. misogynists and homophobes. F them."
• ⚠️ A post on April 20th read, "If a transidentified male is in a female only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops, and if all else fails, punch him in the balls."

Linehan's Reaction and Health Concerns

• 🚨 Linehan described the experience as being treated like a "terrorist" and locked in a cell.
• 🏥 He reported that the stress of the arrest caused his blood pressure to surge to over 200, requiring him to be taken to the hospital.
• 🎤 Linehan stated he was banned from speaking online following the arrest.

Police Statement and Further Charges

• 🚓 A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of a man in his 50s on suspicion of inciting violence related to posts on X.
• 🔫 The spokesperson noted that officers policing airports routinely carry firearms, but they were not drawn during the arrest.
• ⚖️ Linehan has been bailed pending further investigation and is also facing separate charges in London for allegedly harassing a trans activist and damaging her cell phone.