In a striking intervention that has ignited a fierce debate over policing priorities, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has condemned the Metropolitan Police for its handling of the Graham Linehan arrest, suggesting the force is more focused on 'tweets' than 'streets'.
The Labour frontbencher's comments come after the creator of Father Ted was detained by officers outside the Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday evening. Linehan, a vocal critic of gender identity ideology, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence following an altercation.
A Question of Priorities
Streeting, speaking to The Independent, expressed profound concern that the Met's actions demonstrate a worrying misallocation of resources. "The public want to see police on the streets, not spending their time monitoring tweets," he stated emphatically.
His criticism taps into a growing sentiment that police forces are becoming increasingly embroiled in online disputes and perceived 'non-crime hate incidents' at a time when public confidence in their ability to tackle physical crime, particularly in the capital, is faltering.
The Linehan Incident
The arrest itself occurred outside a performance by comedian Graham Linehan. Known for his strong views on gender issues, Linehan has frequently found himself at the centre of online controversies. The specific details leading to the arrest remain under scrutiny, but early reports suggest it followed a verbal exchange.
The incident has been seized upon by free speech advocates and critics of 'woke policing', who see it as a prime example of law enforcement overreach into contentious debate.
Broader Implications for Public Trust
Streeting's intervention is significant, placing a senior Labour figure at the heart of a contentious cultural and political issue. It highlights the delicate balance forces must strike between protecting individuals from harassment and upholding the principle of free speech.
More fundamentally, it questions whether the Met's current strategy aligns with the priorities of ordinary Londoners who are increasingly concerned about violent crime, burglary, and antisocial behaviour in their communities.
The Met Police has been contacted for comment regarding Streeting's criticisms. This story continues to develop as more details about the arrest and the subsequent political fallout emerge.
