Met Police Ordered to Reinvestigate Graham Linehan Arrest Complaint
IOPC finds failings in initial handling of detention at Heathrow, citing discrimination allegations.
Sarah Connor
The Metropolitan Police must reinvestigate a complaint regarding the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan.
Mr. Linehan was detained at Heathrow Airport in September 2025, arriving from Arizona, under suspicion of inciting violence across three posts on X, formerly Twitter.
The IOPC confirmed its October finding: "In October, we found the outcome of the complaint was not reasonable and proportionate and directed the Met to reinvestigate a number of the allegations made."
The force, the IOPC found, failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the grounds of Mr. Linehan's arrest; it also did not pursue inquiries regarding his bail conditions.
An IOPC spokesman confirmed, "We found that, during the complaint investigation, the force failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the grounds for the man’s arrest and failed to pursue lines of inquiry regarding a complaint about the man’s bail conditions."
Mr. Linehan had filed a civil claim against the Met Police, reportedly receiving a £25,000 settlement and an apology.
The IOPC received Mr. Linehan's request for a review in May 2026, which included an allegation of discrimination due to his gender-critical beliefs.
The IOPC spokesman further directed the Met to reinvestigate the allegation of discrimination, stating, "We also directed them to reinvestigate the allegation that he was discriminated against."
We also directed them to reinvestigate the allegation that he was discriminated against.
This reinvestigation emerges as the Metropolitan Police announced it would cease investigating non-crime hate incidents, shifting its focus to criminal matters.
Mr. Linehan will retain a further right of review to the IOPC if he remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the force’s reinvestigation, an IOPC spokesperson confirmed.