Graham Linehan: Father Ted writer permanently suspended from Twitter after transphobic comments

Co-creator of shows including 'The IT Crowd' and 'Black Books' has made countless controversial remarks about transgender people over the years

Irish writer Graham Linehan has been permanently suspended from Twitter over his remarks about the transgender community.

The co-creator of Father Ted and The IT Crowd has long-since attracted controversy by making countless transphobic comments on the social media platform.

Last week, he briefly lost his blue tick verification after he accused an LGBTQ+ group of “grooming”.

However, a Twitter spokesperson said his tick had been removed in error – it was later restored.

Linehan’s @Glinner account has now been suspended entirely. On the account, a message from Twitter says profiles that violate the platform’s rules will be suspended.

A spokesperson for Twitter told Metro.co.uk: "The account has been permanently suspended after repeated violations of our rules against hateful conduct and platform manipulation."

The suspension comes after he allegedly tweeted “men aren’t women tho”, in response to a post by the Women’s Institute, who wished a happy Pride to all of its trans members.

Linehan, who also co-created and wrote the series Black Books with comedian Dylan Moran, appeared to then go on Mumsnet’s “feminism chat” thread to complain.

“I’ve finally been suspended from Twitter and I have a feeling they’re either going to ban me or just take my verified tick,” he wrote.

“I’ve submitted an appeal with Twitter and the Better Business Bureau but I thought I’d post here too so people knew what was going on.

“Recently, I keep getting locked out of my account and forced to delete tweets to get back in.”

A number of high-profile figures on Twitter reacted to the news. Model and trans activist Munroe Bergdorf tweeted: “Graham Linehan has been suspended from Twitter. Transphobia will not win.

“Thank you @twitter. Please make it permanent. Who next?!!!”