Overview
- Ardal O’Hanlon said he feels sorry for Linehan and called his presentation of gender‑critical views confrontational in comments reported over the weekend.
- Linehan fired back on X, accusing his former Father Ted star of smearing him and claiming O’Hanlon disagrees with positions on single‑sex spaces and fair sports.
- The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed no further action after Linehan’s September detention at Heathrow on suspicion of inciting violence over anti‑trans tweets.
- Separately, Linehan has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on allegations of harassing activist Sophia Brooks and criminal damage, which he denies and which remain ongoing.
- The dispute comes as his arrest and its aftermath fuel a wider debate about policing online speech, with the Metropolitan Police saying it will no longer investigate non‑crime hate incidents.