Graham Linehan says ‘anti-trans’ posts case dropped by Met after his Heathrow arrest

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has said he will face “no further action” after being arrested by the Metropolitan Police at Heathrow Airport in September on suspicion of inciting violence over social media posts about trans issues.

The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer was arrested after flying in from Arizona over three posts he had made on X.

The arrest sparked criticism, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling among those who reacted angrily.

Linehan said in a post on social media on Monday: “The police have informed my lawyers that I face no further action in respect of the arrest at Heathrow in September.

“After a successful hearing to get my bail conditions lifted (one which the police officer in charge of the case didn’t even bother to attend) the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped the case.”

He said he will be working to hold the police “accountable” over the incident, alongside the Free Speech Union, who said they plan to sue the Metropolitan Police for wrongful arrest.

“Throughout this probe, the police have behaved like activists, not impartial upholders of the law,” they said in a post on X.

“Rather than inviting Graham for an interview in September, the Met sent five armed police officers to arrest him at Heathrow airport,” they added.

“So, we’re not stopping here. Police forces cannot continue to suppress lawful free speech without facing consequences.”

Linehan earlier shared further details of the arrest on his blog. He claimed to have “been flagged” and “arrested at an airport like a terrorist”.

“The moment I stepped off the plane at Heathrow, five armed police officers were waiting. Not one, not two – five,” he wrote.

“They escorted me to a private area and told me I was under arrest for three tweets.”

He reshared the posts, which were originally posted in April, one of which called on people to “call the cops” on trans-identifying people and “if all else fails, punch him in the balls”.

Another post showed a crowd of people at a protest, many holding transgender and LGBT+ Pride flags, which he wrote over the top: “A photo you can smell.”

The third post he claimed had led to his arrest was in response to someone who commented under this photo, where he said: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”

He claimed his belt, bag and devices were confiscated as he was shown to a small green-tiled cell with a bunk and silver toilet, and he was questioned about his posts, which he said “was a serious point made with a joke”.

Separately, Linehan has faced court action for allegedly harassing trans activist Sophia Brooks.

He has denied harassing her on social media between 11 and 27 October 2024 and also denied a charge of criminal damage to her mobile phone, to the value of £369, on 19 October 2024.

A trial got underway in September but has been adjourned.

Trump posts meme threatening to rule into 2048 and beyond

President Donald Trump has upped the ante in his trolling of Democrats worried about the prospect of him abolishing term limits to cling onto power with a new video in which he threatens to run for office “4EVA.”

In the clip posted to Truth Social on Sunday, a mock Time magazine cover is shown with the headline, “How Trumpism Outlasts Trump,” which is then zoomed in on to reveal a series of yard signs carrying the future campaign slogans “Trump 2028,” “Trump 2032,” “Trump 2036” and so on, all set to Edvard Grieg’s ominous “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

The signs roll on to a final one, brandished by the president himself, reading “Trump 2048” that proceeds to tick upwards through the election years, reaching the year 90,000 before revealing the message: “Trump 4EVA.”

The president’s real point appears to be that his MAGA movement will live on long after he has departed. His trolling post may also have been aimed at the “No Kings” rallies held across the U.S. over the weekend, protesting the president’s use of his power since returning to office.

Amid ongoing concern for his health, Trump has made a habit of dwelling on his own mortality of late, musing on the question of whether or not he will be welcomed into heaven.

Most recently, he told Peter Doocy of Fox News on a flight from Washington, D.C., to Israel: “I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven. I really don’t. I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound.

“I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limits a president to no more than two terms in the White House, meaning that Trump cannot run again in 2028.

That has not stopped him from repeatedly teasing the prospect of serving a third term, notably during a recent meeting with congressional Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office when “Trump 2028” caps were displayed on the Resolute Desk as a provocation.

In practise, getting a constitutional amendment through Congress to scrap the current presidential term limits would be a tall order, even for Trump.

A proposal for a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a slim majority — a balance that could shift after next year’s midterms.

Ratifying such an amendment, if it passed Congress would then require the approval of three-fourths of all state legislatures.

Democrats have nevertheless sounded the alarm, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for one, telling Stephen Colbert last month: “I fear that we will not have an election in 2028 — I really mean that in the core of my soul — unless we wake up to the code red of what’s happening in this country and we wake up soberly to how serious this moment is.”

Public ‘must know’ how Prince Andrew can be evicted from Royal Lodge

Pressure is growing on the Crown Estate to publish the full terms of Prince Andrew’s “cast iron” tenancy agreement, with one former minister saying the public must be told how he could be evicted.

Focus has turned back on Andrew’s 75-year lease of the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor after another week of scandal, which has seen the royal announce he will no longer be known as the Duke of York.

There have been continued accusations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while extracts of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoirs contain more on allegations that they had sex on three occasions.

Prince Andrew, who has always stringently denied allegations involving Ms Guiffre, lives in Royal Lodge, which sits on an estate of 98 acres in Windsor Great Park and is leased from the Crown Estate.

On Monday, there were demands among some MPs for parliament to remove his titles, and pressure was also growing on the Estate to reveal more about the tenancy agreement amid growing calls for him to move out.

Norman Baker, a royal author and former Liberal Democrat minister, said details of the contract should be made public to see if there is a possibility he could be moved out.

He told The Times: “The public at large are very clear that Andrew is disgracing this country and the royal family. If Andrew is not willing to move from Royal Lodge to a residence more befitting of his diminished status, it is clear the terms of the lease need to be brought forward into the public domain.

“All leases have some kind of break clause, so the public must know how he has been able to remain there, and on what terms he could be forced to leave.”

Speaking to the same outlet, royal author Andrew Lownie said: “I think it is important for transparency that the full details of that arrangement are made public and why the property – in effect public property – was only offered to him.”

Some details about the agreement are known through a National Audit Office report in 2005, which said the decision on the lease was made as it was “appropriate in view of the overriding need to maintain close management control over Royal Lodge”.

The report said Andrew approached the Crown Estate over the property following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth’s mother.

As part of the deal, Andrew paid an initial £1m and was required to carry out refurbishment work at an estimated cost of £7.5m. He was then told to pay a notional rental sum of £260,000.

At the weekend, ex-royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the BBC that Prince Andrew had a “cast-iron” deal to stay at Royal Lodge.

She said: “Should he be dislodged from Royal Lodge, where he lives, this large house in Windsor, well he has a pretty cast-iron tenancy agreement and that is difficult, the King has been trying to get him out.

“Andrew likes us all to believe he has a tendency to be rather too honourable. Well, I do think the honourable thing might be to say, I will relinquish not only my titles… but I will also relinquish this rather large home. But I don’t see that happening.”

The Crown Estate has been approached by The Independent for comment.

Dozens of Pizza Hut restaurants to shut as chain enters administration

Dozens of Pizza Hut restaurants in the UK could close and hundreds of jobs are at risk after the dine-in side of its business collapsed into administration.

Pizza Hut’s UK restaurant business has said it will shut 68 venues after falling into administration.

However, a newly agreed rescue deal will save 64 sites and secure the future of 1,277 workers.

As part of a pre-packaged administration, Pizza Hut UK announced the acquisition of the Pizza Hut dine-in operations.

A statement read: “We are pleased to secure the continuation of 64 sites to safeguard our guest experience and protect the associated jobs. Approximately 1,277 team members will transfer to the new Yum! equity business under UK TUPE legislation, including above-restaurant leaders and support teams.

Nicolas Burquier, managing director international operating markets, said: “This targeted acquisition aims to safeguard our guest experience and protect jobs where possible. Our immediate priority is operational continuity at the acquired locations and supporting colleagues through the transition.”

More than 740 jobs are at risk as a further 75 dine-in restaurants were not part of the last-minute rescue deal, according to The Business Desk. The applicant behind today’s filing, Yum! III (UK) Limited, is a subsidiary of American food outlet operator Yum! Brands, Inc, which holds a charge over the business.

Administration is the legal process where directors appoint an administrator to take control of the company and everything it owns in an attempt to save it. They have the power to issue redundancies, but if saving the business isn’t possible, they will try to return money to the creditors.

FTI was announced as the administrator of DC London Pie Limited, a franchisee of Pizza Hut.

It comes less than a year after DC London Pie Limited had bought the chain’s restaurants from insolvency.

The chain, headquartered in Texas, operates 19,866 restaurants worldwide as of 2023.

Britain’s ‘most luxurious train’ to tour the UK this Christmas

A heritage train is set to tour the UK in the lead-up to Christmas, allowing passengers to wind through the British countryside in style.

Dubbed “Britain’s most luxurious train”, guests aboard the Northern Belle will travel in 1930s-style carriages, each bearing the name of a British castle or stately home.

Guests will be served a festive lunch while on board, with tickets starting from £395 per person.

The grand experience begins before setting foot on the train, as a red carpet will be laid out on the platform for arriving guests.

Once aboard, passengers will be welcomed with champagne and canapés such as caviar blinis, as they take in the restored interiors, designed to evoke the opulence of early 20th-century rail travel.

Passengers will then be seated for a seven-course festive lunch, with options including a Scottish salmon roulade, roasted white onion potage, a traditional turkey balloting plus goose fat roast potatoes and honey-glazed heritage carrots.

Passengers will also be served a choice of desserts, such as spiced apple and cranberry crumble tart or dark chocolate and hazelnut delice.

To finish off the dining experience, a curated selection of Britain’s artisanal cheeses, Fortnum and Mason Royal Blend tea and petit fours will be served.

One bottle of a sommelier-selected wine will be served per couple. Guests can also upgrade their journey to “Laurent-Perrier Class” for an additional £95 for more deluxe champagne and wine offerings.

For an extra £195 per passenger, the “Krug Class” includes a bottle of Krug Grand Cuvée champagne per couple and allocated seating in the “Duart” carriage, formerly used exclusively used by royals, or in “Glamis”, named after Queen Elizabeth’s childhood home.

Throughout the experience, musicians will be playing festive tunes, while the Northern Belle’s “onboard conjurer” will wander from table to table.

Northern Belle’s Christmas lunch tour will start with Norwich and Ipswich on 12 December, followed by London, Coventry, Birmingham, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It is hauled by a variety of locomotives, including heritage steam engines on certain dates.

The final Christmas lunch experience will happen in Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds on 20 December.

Northern Belle says the journey is an “ideal way to celebrate Christmas” and is open to couples, groups of friends or family, or even travelling solo.

The luxury train company will also be celebrating Christmas with its “Historic Edinburgh at Christmas” service, as well as its “Historic York Christmas Markets” experience, whisking passengers away to the UK’s most festive destinations.

Read more: Sneak peak – Inside Belmond’s all-new luxury sleeper train

Hidden gem holidays: An insider guide to the Dominican Republic

The advent of autumn sees us thinking ahead to how to keep that sunshine feeling going through till winter; and there’s nothing better for keeping our spirits up than the idea of booking a holiday somewhere tropical. Enter the Dominican Republic, a warm and welcoming Caribbean nation perched to the south of the Turks and Caicos islands, and east of Jamaica. Known for its beautiful beaches, premium resorts and some legendary golf courses, there is, as the saying goes, genuinely something for everyone. If you want to make your holiday more than just a fly and flop, there’s plenty to explore, from Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, to historic sites in the country’s lively capital, Santo Domingo.

But first, where’s the best place to stay? Consider Costa Esmeralda, in the Miches area on the Island’s northeastern coast, a picturesque and pristine stretch of sand fringed with coconut palms that lean over the calm, turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbouring Punta Cana and the wider Bávaro area combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive hotels which is also popular for windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Base yourself at Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort Curio by Hilton, an oceanfront resort boasting 800-metres of secluded beach on the shores of Playa Esmeralda. Located just 90 minutes’ drive from Punta Cana International Airport, the emphasis here is firmly on fun and relaxation. It features six restaurants, six bars and lounges, four pools and several water slides, and for those who like to keep fit while away, there’s a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, and a full-service fitness centre which offers yoga and pilates classes. The Acana spa aims to reconnect soul and spirit with therapies inspired by ancient traditions, while you’ll also find a daily programme of art and cultural activities, plus live nightly entertainment. Bringing the kids? They’ll love spending time at the Coki Cove Kids Club or Palmchat Teens Club.

There’s a choice of rooms, suites or bungalows, all tastefully decorated with Caribbean flair, and offering stunning views. Select accommodations even feature private plunge pools, and Club Azure and bungalow guests have access to additional dining options and a rooftop pool. Talking of dining, you’ll experience a world of flavour, with menus inspired by the traditions of the Caribbean, Thailand, and the Amalfi Coast; think spicy, street-food inspired dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and local favourites. All this, and unlimited drinks and cocktails, too!

What’s more, booking with British Airways Holidays means you can secure your holiday now with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments*. Once you’re ready to jet off, you can enjoy increased checked baggage allowance, a dedicated 24-hour helpline during your trip and the option of quality car hire with no hidden fees, 24-hour support and roadside assistance.

Upgrade to Club World and you’ll also get lounge access**, increased baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, and a spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed. Members of The British Airways Club enjoy even more benefits in the form of collecting Avios (British Airways’ frequent flyer currency) and earning tier points, which unlock frequent flyer status and other benefits. Avios can also be used towards the cost of your holiday, presenting even greater value for money for members.

All this means you can totally relax during your stay at Hilton Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, knowing you’re getting the quality and peace of mind you’d expect from a British Airways Holidays.

If you can tear yourself away from the resort – tough, we know – there’s lots to experience throughout the Dominican Republic. Take a day trip to Santo Domingo, one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities; its walled, cobblestoned, historic centre, the Zona Colonial, has impressive Spanish buildings dating back to the 16th century, including the Gothic Catedral Primada de America and the Alcázar de Colón palace, which sits on the laid-back, cafe-lined Plaza de España. The latter is now one of the city’s many museums, displaying striking medieval and Renaissance art. In the pretty Parque del Este is the Faro a Colón, a large mausoleum and museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who landed on the island known as Hispaniola (now divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1492. For a taste of life in bygone times, visit Altos de Chavón, a fascinating replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, featuring art galleries and studios, boutiques and a striking amphitheatre.

Looking for something a little more adventurous? Get back to nature at Los Haitises National Park, where you can explore mangrove forests, caves and unique rock formations, or the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, a series of tumbling falls perfect for swimming, splashing and jumping into. And don’t miss the incredible Hoya Azul, a cenote, or sinkhole, with crystal-clear, aquamarine waters; it’s located in Scape Park, a natural adventure park featuring lush jungles and jaw-dropping cliffs, where you can go zip-lining or explore the caves. There is whale watching in Samana Bay – humpback whales can be found here during their breeding season, January to March. While Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake with surrounding wetlands, is home to crocodiles and various bird species, including flamingos. All in all, your holiday to the Dominican Republic is guaranteed to be unforgettable; so get booking now!

British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full ATOL protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Hilton Zemi Miches Punta with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.

*Based on two sharing. Full balance due seven weeks before departure. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

**Subject to availability

Maccabi Tel Aviv claim their fans not to blame for derby cancellation amid Aston Villa ban

Maccabi Tel Aviv have distanced themselves from disturbances that led to the cancellation of the derby match against Hapoel before kick-off on Sunday.

Maccabi’s fans have been barred from attending the Europa League match away to Aston Villa next month amid safety concerns, a decision that was heavily criticised last week by a number of politicians, including prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

A Downing Street spokesperson said on Friday that discussions were happening “at pace, across government” to overturn the ban.

On Sunday, the Tel Aviv derby was called off before kick-off, with reports of smoke grenades and flares being thrown, but Maccabi insist their supporters did nothing to contribute to the game’s cancellation.

A club spokesperson said: “Maccabi Tel Aviv FC would like to clarify that the reason given for the cancellation of the derby match hosted yesterday by Hapoel Tel Aviv FC – unlike as reported by some (foreign) media – was as a result of flares thrown on to the pitch by fans of our opponent Hapoel Tel Aviv, not visiting fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

West Midlands Police said last week they supported a decision by the local Safety Advisory Group to bar visiting fans from the Europa League tie against Villa, having classified the fixture as “high risk”.

They said the decision was “based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam”.

The match at Villa Park takes place against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the Middle East.

The Fare network, which reports incidents of discrimination to Uefa from national team and European competition matches, said it was “reluctant to question” the decision to bar Maccabi fans and added that Maccabi fans were “well known for their racism”.

It’s understood that Fare has made multiple reports of discriminatory behaviour by Maccabi fans inside stadia within the past 10 years.

Maccabi are aware of Fare’s comments but have not yet commented on them or on the decision of the authorities in Birmingham to bar their supporters.

Hapoel issued a statement on their website regarding Sunday’s derby cancellation, criticising the police for “preparing for a war and not a sporting event”.

“The shocking events outside the stadium and the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the game only show that the Israeli police have taken control of the industry,” Hapoel said.

“When we asked for explanations in real time, we were met with a contemptuous and humiliating attitude.

“Needless to say, the club’s management condemns all manifestations of violence – and will fight lawbreakers, even if they are wearing uniforms.”

Media reports in Israel said Tel Aviv police arrested five people on suspicion of disturbing public order and that 51 flares or smoke bombs had been thrown onto the pitch.

PA

Four Reform UK councillors suspended after chaotic council meeting

Four Reform UK councillors have been suspended after a video was leaked to the press showing the leader of the party’s flagship local authority telling council members to “suck it up”.

Reform UK took control of Kent County Council (KCC) after winning 57 of the 81 seats at the local elections in May, overturning a 30-year Tory majority.

Footage of an online meeting in which KCC leader Linden Kemkaran could be seen berating backbench councillors when they questioned her was leaked to the press on Saturday.

A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Cllrs Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett and Maxine Fothergill have had the whip suspended pending investigation, following evidence that they brought the party into disrepute.”

Doorstepped by the BBC on Monday and asked about the suspensions, Cllr Kemkaran said it was “business as usual” at Kent County Council.

The sweary video saw councillors being told by Ms Kemkaran, the Reform leader of Kent County Council, to “f***ing suck it up” if they didn’t agree with the decisions.

Cllr Kemkaran warned those voicing dissent that they would be “screwed”, and that Reform would not be able to win a general election, if they failed to balance Kent’s budget.

In the chaotic recording, obtained by The Guardian, she allegedly shouted down fellow councillors and threatened them with being “muted”, prompting comparisons with the notorious “Jackie Weaver” parish council Zoom meeting, footage of which went viral during the pandemic.

“Let’s not forget, we are the shop window in KCC. People are looking at us, they are judging us every single minute of every single day. Nigel knows that. He is super aware that we are the flagship council,” Ms Kemkaran told her colleagues.

Kent is one of the 10 councils Reform took control of in a stunning set of local election victories in May, with the party vowing to cut wasteful spending and reduce council tax bills.

But, despite rolling out its Elon Musk-inspired Department of Local Government Efficiency (Dolge) unit in the council, Kent’s Reform leaders are still set to hike council tax rates next year.

Labour said the leaked footage showed that a government run by Nigel Farage would be “complete chaos”, while the Liberal Democrats said the meeting looked “more like an episode of The Traitors than the running of a major council”.

Cllr Kemkaran, who oversees the £2.5bn council budget, told the meeting: “We are going to live or die on that budget. If we don’t balance the books, you can forget Reform winning the next election. It’s that crucial.”

She added: “If we can avoid putting up council tax by the full 5 per cent, that is going to be the best thing that we can do to show that Reform can actually run something as big as Kent council.”

There have been rumours of a split among Kent’s Reform councillors since the party took control of the local authority.

On Monday, Reform UK announced the suspension of four KCC councillors, including Mr Thomas, whom Ms Kemkaran threatened to mute during the meeting. Mr Thomas had questioned whether Reform had the “right” leader and cabinet, before he was muted by the council leader.

Responding to the suspension of the four councillors, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “Reform’s leader in Kent said that Reform councils were ‘the biggest advert’ for what a Nigel Farage government would look like. Well, now we know what that means: complete chaos.

“For all Farage’s talk of cutting council waste, [he] hasn’t come close. Now members of his flagship council are fighting like rats in a sack. Reform is in meltdown, and it’s local residents who will pay the price.

“Only Labour can be trusted to renew Britain, secure our borders, and put money back in people’s pockets. Reform have shown they aren’t up to the task and just can’t be trusted.”

Meanwhile, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “Reform’s meetings are starting to sound more like an episode of The Traitors than the running of a major council. All that’s missing is for Claudia Winkleman to appear and ask who they’re going to banish next.

“Reform don’t know what they are doing. Residents are paying the price for their incompetence.

“Since taking control, they have broken their promise to lower council tax after they realised their plans don’t add up, and they can’t even hold meetings together without an argument breaking out.”