Graham Linehan, the BAFTA-winning comedy writer best known for co-creating Father Ted, has been formally charged with harassment and criminal damage.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Linehan, 56, has been charged with harassment without violence and criminal damage following an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London in October 2024. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 12 May 2025.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, Linehan stated that the complaint leading to the charges was made by a trans rights activist. No further details regarding the specific allegations have been made public at this time.
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment. As of publication, no additional statements have been issued by law enforcement or by Linehan’s legal representatives.
Career Overview
Graham Linehan first rose to prominence in the 1990s through his collaboration with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews. Together, they created Father Ted, a Channel 4 sitcom that went on to achieve critical and commercial success. The series, which ran from 1995 to 1998, won multiple BAFTA awards and remains a key work in British and Irish television comedy.
Following Father Ted, Linehan continued his career in comedy, creating and writing Black Books (2000–2004) and The IT Crowd (2006–2013), both of which also received BAFTA recognition. He became widely regarded as one of the most influential television comedy writers of his generation.
Public Controversy and Activism
Beginning in the late 2010s, Linehan became increasingly involved in public debates surrounding transgender rights. He expressed strong opposition to certain aspects of the trans rights movement, leading to considerable media attention and widespread controversy.
His activism has included social media commentary, public appearances, and campaigning. As a result, Linehan was permanently banned from Twitter (now X) in 2020 for violations of its policies on hateful conduct, although his account was later reinstated. He has also been banned or suspended from other platforms such as Reddit and Mumsnet.
In 2023, Linehan published a memoir titled Tough Crowd: How I Made And Lost A Career In Comedy, in which he reflected on his professional successes and his subsequent alienation from the mainstream entertainment industry. In the book, Linehan asserted that his advocacy had led to the collapse of his career.
Legal Proceedings
The harassment and criminal damage charges now mark a significant development in Linehan’s ongoing public profile. Details of the case have not yet been made available, and the outcome will depend on proceedings scheduled to commence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 12 May.
Until the matter is resolved, Linehan remains on bail. The CPS has not indicated whether further charges are being considered.
