The Metropolitan Police has paid £25,000 in compensation to Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan following his arrest by armed officers at Heathrow Airport in September 2025. The force apologised and acknowledged considerable distress caused to the 58-year-old, accepting shortcomings in the investigation, the arrest, and the bail conditions imposed.
Linehan was detained on suspicion of inciting violence over three posts on X, an incident initially investigated as a non-crime hate incident. He pursued a civil claim with support from the Free Speech Union. Four officers involved received learning through reflection, a non-disciplinary process.
The case prompted the Met to announce in October 2025 that it would no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents, marking a significant shift in the force's approach to speech-related complaints.