Overview

• Linehan, 57, was detained by five armed officers at Heathrow on suspicion of inciting violence over three X posts, taken to hospital from custody, and released on bail pending further investigation.
• He says his bail condition bars him from using X, and the posts cited include a message advising to "punch him in the balls" if a trans-identified male enters a female-only space, plus two derogatory tweets about trans activists.
• Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the arrest as within the law, called for the incitement rules to be changed or clarified, and said firearms at airports are routine and were not drawn.
• Senior figures weighed in, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging police to focus on the most serious issues, Health Secretary Wes Streeting questioning how such laws are applied, and JK Rowling condemning the arrest; Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the response was proportionate.
• Linehan also faces separate harassment and criminal-damage charges and is due at Westminster Magistrates' Court this week.