Graham Linehan Faces Harassment Trial Over Abuse of Trans Activist

Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted, is on trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks through relentless, abusive social media posts between October 11 and 27, 2024, and criminal damage to her mobile phone. Prosecutors described his posts as oppressive, vindictive, and crossing the threshold into harassment, reflecting his deep personal animosity towards Brooks, whom he had never met before a confrontation at the Battle of Ideas conference. Linehan allegedly called Brooks derogatory names, accused her of being a 'groomer' and a 'domestic terrorist,' and deliberately knocked her phone from her hand during their encounter. Despite his denials, the prosecution argued the posts were not provoked by Brooks and were neither mere political opinion nor criticism, but a campaign of verbal abuse. Linehan has become a vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years, holding placards with anti-transgender messages at court. The case has drawn attention from both supporters and protesters on issues of free speech and transgender rights.