Latest news with #BattleofIdeas
The National
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Graham Linehan denies harassing transgender woman
The Irish comedy writer, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny the charges of harassing Sophia Brooks on social media and damaging her mobile in October. The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years. Linehan, who created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews, said in a post on X in April that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19. Court documents show Linehan is charged with harassing the alleged victim by posting abusive comments about her on social media between October 11 and October 27, and damaging her phone to the value of £369 on the day of the conference. Speaking outside of the court, Linehan said: "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've lost great deal, but I am still here, and I will not waver in my resolve.' Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Linehan his trial would take place on September 4 this year at the same court. He was freed on bail with the condition not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan vows to continue trans rights fight after pleading not guilty to hate crime charges
He is accused of abusing trans activist Sophia Brooks on social media and smashing her phone in October TRANS RAP Father Ted creator Graham Linehan vows to continue trans rights fight after pleading not guilty to hate crime charges Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
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. He is accused of abusing trans activist Sophia Brooks on social media and 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.' Read More on TV 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. Most read in News TV 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. 1 Graham Linehan vowed to continue criticising trans rights as he denied hate crime charges in court Credit: PA
South Wales Guardian
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Linehan says he has ‘lost a great deal' as he denies harassing transgender woman
The 56-year-old Irish comedy writer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny two charges, one of harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks, 18, on social media and another of damaging her mobile in October. The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years. The 56-year-old sat in seats in front of the dock wearing glasses, a white shirt, grey suit jacket and grey jeans, and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to deny the charges. Outside court after the short hearing, he wore a T-shirt with a picture of a Daily Telegraph front page with the headline 'Trans women are not women', and said: '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've lost great deal, but I am still here, and I will not waver in my resolve.' Linehan, who created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews, said in a post on X in April that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19. Court documents show Linehan is charged with harassing the alleged victim, a transgender activist, by posting abusive comments about her on social media between October 11 and October 27, and damaging her phone to the value of £369 on the day of the conference. Some supporters of the defendant were turned away from the court room because of a shortage of seats and dozens of them posed for a photograph with Linehan after the hearing. Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Linehan his trial would take place on September 4 this year at the same court. He was freed on bail with the condition not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Father Ted creator denies harassing trans woman
Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has pleaded not guilty to harassment and criminal damage against a transgender woman. The Irish comedy writer, who also created The IT Crowd and Black Books, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Monday. The 56-year-old denied two charges including one of harassing Sophia Brooks, 18, a transgender activist, on social media in October. He is also accused of damaging her phone during the "Battle of Ideas" conference in London in the same month, at which he was a speaker. The case will go to trial in September. Mr Linehan spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and his plea. He said outside court afterwards that he had for six years defended "the rights of women and children" and had faced abuse and threats. Mr Linehan must return to the court for trial on 4 September. He is accused of harassment by posting abusive comments on social media between 11 and 27 of October, and of damage to a phone to the value of £369. He was granted bail on condition he did not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
