Met Police Apologizes to Graham Linehan After 5-Month Probe Finds Arrest Mishandled
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 20
Met Police Apologizes to Graham Linehan After 5-Month Probe Finds Arrest Mishandled
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 20
Five months after reviewing Graham Linehan’s 2025 arrest, the Metropolitan Police apologized for “shortcomings” and said the investigation and arrest lacked expected diligence.
The review still deemed the Heathrow arrest lawful, but found officers wrongly centered on Linehan’s criticism of transgender activists rather than the alleged incitement to violence in three posts.
Prosecutors had already dropped the case, and Linehan said in October he planned to sue for wrongful arrest after being detained by five armed officers on suspicion of inciting violence.
No officers will face discipline, though Scotland Yard said it will change how it handles future hate-crime allegations involving high-profile figures.
The case fueled a wider UK free-speech backlash; the Met said last October it would stop investigating non-crime hate incidents, while the Free Speech Union welcomed the apology.
After a writer's arrest by armed police, where does the UK now draw the line between free speech and criminal incitement?
As the US offers asylum for online speech, is the UK's approach to free expression becoming dangerously repressive?
Will the UK's proposed 'Free Speech Bill' prevent future arrests or simply enable more online hate?