Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan will today face trial accused of harassing a transgender woman three days after he was arrested over social media posts.
The 57-year-old comedy writer has denied harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks on social media and a further charge of damaging her mobile phone in October.
The allegations are related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19.
His court appearance comes after he was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Monday on suspicion of inciting violence in three posts he had made on X about trans issues.
The arrest has sparked debate – with opposition politicians and Harry Potter author JK Rowling among those who have criticised the move, while the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said his officers are in ‘an impossible position’ when dealing with statements made online, and should not be ‘policing toxic culture wars debates’.
Follow the Daily Mail’s live updates from the court below
