LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) – Graham Linehan, the Irish co-creator of hit British TV comedy show “Father Ted”, was on Friday cleared on appeal of criminal damage of a trans woman’s mobile phone, British media reported.
Linehan, 57, a vocal critic of transgender activism in recent years, has found himself at the centre of a heated culture war debate in Britain on the issue.
Trans activists say his views cause offence while Linehan’s supporters argue campaigners are trying to silence criticism and free speech.
Last year, Linehan was found guilty of causing criminal damage following an incident at a conference in October 2024 involving then 17-year-old trans woman Sophia Brooks, but he was cleared of harassing her.
Linehan appealed against his criminal damage conviction at London’s Southwark Crown Court and was found not guilty on Friday, with Sky News reporting that a judge ruled they could not be sure the damage to Brooks’ phone was caused by Linehan.
“Father Ted” brought Linehan success in Britain in the 1990s, and he also co-created “The IT Crowd”, a critically acclaimed sitcom.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Toby Chopra)
