Comedian Graham Linehan Seeks US Asylum After Heathrow Arrest

Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan, creator of The IT Crowd and Father Ted, is seeking asylum in the United States after being arrested at London's Heathrow Airport over accusations of harassing a transgender woman via social media posts. Linehan was detained by five armed police officers upon returning to the UK for a trial but has found a new life in Scottsdale, Arizona, known for its free speech environment. His arrest and ensuing legal troubles have severely impacted his career and personal life, including the end of his 16-year marriage and the cancellation of a Father Ted musical. Linehan has hired MAGA lawyer Aaron Siri to appeal to President Donald Trump for asylum, framing himself as a 'free speech refugee.' His social media posts, which are under investigation, included controversial remarks about transgender women in female-only spaces. Linehan and his colleagues, including Rob Schneider and playwright Andrew Doyle, have formed a production company and are moving forward with new projects in the U.S.