Father Ted creator Graham Linehan vows to continue trans rights fight after pleading not guilty to hate crime charges
FATHER Ted writer Graham Linehan vowed to continue criticising trans rights as he denied hate crime charges in court.
The five-time Bafta award winner, 56, pleaded not guilty to harassment and criminal damage.
He is accused of abusing trans activist Sophia Brooks on social media and smashing her phone in October.
They are described by prosecutors as hate crimes — but Linehan remained defiant after his court appearance yesterday.
He told supporters outside Westminster magistrates court: 'I have pleaded not guilty and will defend this case at trial. In doing so, there is far more at stake than my own name. For six years, ever since I began defending the rights of women and children against a dangerous ideology, I have faced harassment, abuse and threats.
'I have lost a great deal but I am still here and I will not waver in my resolve.'
The IT Crowd co-creator, who has also written for Brass Eye and The Fast Show, has a long-standing history of criticising the trans-rights movement.
He has previously said that the charges relate to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London last year.
The Ireland-born writer was bailed at yesterday's hearing on the condition he does not contact his alleged victim.
His trial was set for the same court on September 4.
Dozens of supporters, many unable to get inside owing to a lack of space, greeted Linehan outside the court.
He thanked them for the support, also urging people to join the Free Speech Union.
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Glasgow Times
7 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
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The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
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The Sun
12 minutes ago
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Council tax bills set to rise at fastest rate 20 years after Rachel Reeves spending review, economist warns
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Speaking after delivering her spending review yesterday, Ms Reeves insisted she would not have to raise taxes to cover her spending review. What council tax support is available? By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter There are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill. In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction. Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get. To apply, visit here. You'll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details. Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill: Single person discount If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill. This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together, or one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired. If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%. And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount. Retirees Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may not have to pay a penny. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Low-income households If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax, depending on where you live. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can. How are council tax bills calculated? In England, local authorities can increase council tax by up to 4.99% each April without holding a referendum. This is broken down into a 2.99% increase for general spending and a 2% precept for adult social care. Any increase above this 4.99% limit requires a local referendum to gain public approval. In areas governed by 'two-tier authorities', where responsibilities are divided between two councils, your council tax bill is split into two charges - one set by your county council and another determined by your district, borough, or city council. The proportion of your bill allocated to each council varies depending on the authority, though county councils typically claim the largest share. District councils are permitted to increase their portion of the charge by up to 3% annually without the need for a referendum However, these charges have been excluded from our dataset. In addition to the above charges, your council tax also includes contributions towards local police and crime commissioners, fire and rescue services, as well as any applicable town or parish council charges. Councils typically finalise their council tax increases by early March, with the new rates coming into effect from April 1. Check if you can claim a council tax refund Over three million households are owed a combined total of £544million in council tax refunds, according to a Sun investigation. The average refund due is around £178, but some could be owed as much as £3,659. Sun Money submitted a Freedom of Information Request to all 349 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to find out just how much taxpayer money our councils are sitting on. You can check to see how much cash your local authority might be sitting on by searching for your council in our tool. It's surprisingly easy to overpay your council tax, and millions of us do. One of the main reasons is moving house. Council tax is usually billed annually from April to April, but paid in instalments, which means you're always paying some in advance. Therefore, if you move out before the year's end, you'll likely be due a refund for the remaining months. Another reason for overpayments is a change in your property's council tax band. If the band is lowered, you're due a refund for the over payments made at the higher rate. Finally, forgetting to cancel your direct debit after moving out can lead to continued payments and further overpayments. Finding out if you're owed a council tax refund is easier than you think. Many councils have online claim forms available on their website. To find your local council's site, visit here. You can also contact them directly by phone, email, or live chat.
