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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Archie Mitchell

Starmer says police should prioritise serious crimes after Graham Linehan arrest

  • Comedian Graham Linehan was arrested by armed officers at Heathrow Airport over social media posts concerning transgender people.
  • Linehan, co-writer of Father Ted, was questioned regarding three posts on X, one of which suggested punching a trans-identified male in female-only spaces.
  • He was taken to hospital due to high blood pressure during questioning and has since been released on bail.
  • Downing Street, while not commenting directly on the arrest, reiterated Sir Keir Starmer's focus on serious crime and anti-social behaviour as policing priorities.
  • The arrest drew widespread criticism from opposition politicians, who described it as a 'ridiculous' waste of police time and an example of overreach.

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