Graham Linehan receives £25,000 settlement from Met Police over arrest for online posts

The Metropolitan Police have issued an apology to comedian and activist Graham Linehan, along with a £25,000 settlement following his arrest in September 2025 for gender-critical remarks on X. While returning from Arizona, he was detained by five armed officers at Heathrow on allegations of inciting hatred under the Public Order Act. This incident ignited discussions about free speech and policing. Concerned for his well-being, authorities took Linehan to the hospital to check his blood pressure. The situation was later classified as a non-crime hate incident. In October 2025, the Met decided to cease investigations into such incidents and closed the case involving Linehan. He received backing for his civil claim from the Free Speech Union, whose general secretary, Lord Toby Young, condemned the arrest. Just two months prior, Linehan's conviction for damaging a transgender activist's phone was overturned.