- Graham Linehan, Father Ted co-creator, is set to testify before the US House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Jim Jordan, on UK free speech threats under the Online Safety Act.
- Linehan accuses Sir Keir Starmer's government of silencing critics, citing his September 2025 Heathrow Airport detention by five armed Metropolitan Police over gender-critical X posts.
- Scotland Yard dropped the investigation with no further action; Linehan plans legal action against the force.
- The hearing probes European censorship's impact on US firms; it follows Reform UK's Nigel Farage's testimony on similar UK speech cases.
London (Washington Insider Megazine) February 3, 2026 – Graham Linehan, the 57-year-old co-creator of Father Ted, is scheduled to testify before the US House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. He plans to accuse Sir Keir Starmer of diminishing free speech in Britain. The hearing, chaired by Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, examines European censorship practices, including the UK's Online Safety Act. Linehan's appearance follows his September detention at Heathrow Airport by five armed Metropolitan Police officers over gender-critical social media comments, with Scotland Yard later dropping the investigation.
Graham Linehan's congressional testimony centres on his experiences with UK authorities and broader concerns over speech restrictions. The hearing continues the committee's probe into how foreign laws affect online platforms.
What Will Graham Linehan Tell the US Congress About UK Free Speech?
Free Speech Under Attack in the U.K.
Graham Linehan intends to argue that Britain's cultural establishment, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has avoided addressing culture war issues. He told The Telegraph:
"Sir Keir came to power saying that he was going to end the culture war, but what he's actually done is he's hidden from it." He continued: "I want to point out that this elite is kind of working against the interests of working-class people. He has made it a million times worse, and it won't get better until he's gone."
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Jim Jordan, focuses on foreign censorship's impact on American companies. Jordan stated:
"Europe's censorship unfairly targets American companies and threatens American innovation. Graham Linehan and our other witnesses will highlight just how bad European censorship has become and what it means for American freedoms."
Washington correspondent Connor Stringer provided an update on the upcoming testimony. Connor Stringer (@connor_stringer) said in X post,
“Graham Linehan will testify before US Congress on the threats to free speech in Britain on Wednesday. He will appear before the powerful @JudiciaryGOP, led by @Jim_Jordan, as it continues its investigation into online censorship.”
Graham Linehan will testify before US Congress on the threats to free speech in Britain on Wednesday.
— Connor Stringer (@connor_stringer) February 2, 2026
He will appear before the powerful @JudiciaryGOP, led by @Jim_Jordan, as it continues its investigation into online censorship.https://t.co/g8Z2pILBzv
Details of Graham Linehan's Heathrow Airport Detention
In September 2025, five armed Metropolitan Police officers detained Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport over three gender-critical posts on X. Scotland Yard closed the investigation with no further action. Linehan announced plans to sue the force, describing the stop as an effort to silence his views.
The Free Speech Union highlighted this incident in relation to Linehan's testimony. The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) said in X post,
“Graham Linehan will address the US Congress on the state of free speech in Starmer’s Britain. @Glinner was arrested last September by five armed police officers at Heathrow over three gender-critical posts on X.”
Context of the House Judiciary Committee Hearing
The hearing, chaired by Republican Congressman Jim Jordan with other Trump allies, follows an August 2025 UK visit by three committee members, including Jordan. They described their findings on censorship as shocking.
This session builds on prior testimonies, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's appearance in September 2025. Farage raised the case of Lucy Connolly, jailed for 31 months over a social media post after the Southport attack calling for mass deportations and action against migrant hotels. Connolly pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred, deleted the post within hours, served over 300 days, and was released on licence.
UK's Online Safety Act and US Concerns
The UK's Online Safety Act, implemented last year, requires platforms to remove harmful content or face fines up to £18 million or 10 per cent of global revenue. The Trump administration has criticised it for targeting US tech firms.
GB News reported the Act's role in compelling censorship of content deemed harmful.
Graham Linehan's Recent UK Court Proceedings
Linehan was cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court of harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks via social media. He was convicted of criminal damage to her phone outside a London conference and fined £500, plus £850 costs and surcharges.
Previous Testimonies and Committee Activities
Nigel Farage's testimony referenced Linehan's detention as evidence of UK speech issues. The committee's work addresses how European rules affect American speech and innovation.
Graham Linehan's Background
Co-creator of Father Ted, Linehan has campaigned on gender-critical issues. His US testimony follows years of UK legal encounters over online speech.