British comedy writer Graham Linehan got the shock of his life when five armed police officers dragged him off a plane at London’s Heathrow Airport. The man who gave us beloved shows like Father Ted was arrested for posting his thoughts about transgender issues on social media. This is what happens when free speech dies in once-great Britain.
Linehan was flying back from Arizona when police grabbed him for three posts he made on X back in April. The stress was so bad that his blood pressure shot up to dangerous levels and he had to go to the hospital. All this drama over some tweets that hurt someone’s feelings.
The police say he was arrested for “inciting violence” but his posts were just common sense about biological reality. He pointed out that men pretending to be women shouldn’t be in women’s spaces. Apparently telling the truth is now a crime in the United Kingdom.
Conservative politicians are rightfully furious about this attack on free speech. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called it ridiculous and a waste of police time. He pointed out that cops only respond to one in five shoplifting cases but send five armed officers after a comedian’s tweets.
This is the same Britain that used to fight for freedom around the world. Now they’re arresting people for making jokes and stating obvious facts about biology. The country that gave us Winston Churchill is now silencing comedians with armed police raids.
Linehan was released on bail but can’t post on social media while he’s in the UK. That’s a legal gag order designed to shut him up for daring to speak his mind. Meanwhile, real criminals walk free while police play thought patrol on Twitter.
American leaders are taking notice of Britain’s war on free speech. Vice President JD Vance already called out their “infringements on free speech” during meetings with British officials. Even our allies can see how far Britain has fallen.
This arrest shows exactly why we need strong conservative leadership here in America. When governments can arrest comedians for social media posts, freedom is already dead. We must never let the radical left destroy our First Amendment rights like they’ve destroyed free speech in Britain.
