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# Graham Linehan says he may never return to Britain
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/graham-linehan-says-he-may-never-return-to-britain/
- Published: 2025-09-06T10:50:52.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-06T10:50:52.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News

Irish comedy writer **Graham Linehan**, best known for creating the hit sitcom *Father Ted*, has declared he may never return to Britain, citing what he describes as a lack of freedom of speech following his recent arrest at **Heathrow Airport**.

Linehan, 57, was detained by police upon arrival from Arizona earlier this week. The arrest was reportedly linked to three controversial posts he made on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which police deemed to be inciting violence. One of the posts included the statement: “If a trans-identified 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.”

Speaking to *The Times*, Linehan described the incident as “the perfect finale to my time in the UK”, adding: “I decided to leave Britain because it really is impossible for me to stay. I just don’t have freedom of speech in this country.”

He also expressed dismay at the reaction from his peers in the comedy world, saying: “Almost all my friends in comedy betrayed me. Not one of them stood up and said, ‘Linehan’s not a bigot’, and of course, women need fair sports and single-sex spaces.”

Linehan, who now resides in the United States, said he feels “so far away from all these nut-jobs who have the police wrapped around their finger”, and added: “I don’t think I’ll ever come back to Britain.”

In addition to the online posts, Linehan is currently on trial for allegedly harassing teen trans activist **Sophia Brooks** and damaging her mobile phone during an encounter at the “Battle of Ideas” conference in London last October. Prosecutors say Linehan threw Brooks’ phone across the road, causing £369 worth of damage.

The court heard that Linehan referred to Brooks using derogatory terms online and repeatedly called her “Tarquin,” which she said was a reference to her perceived poshness. A video played in court appeared to show Linehan grabbing Brooks’ phone during a heated exchange. Brooks testified that Linehan’s behaviour left her feeling “alarmed and distressed”.