We will have to see whether this indicates a return, at least by a little bit, to sanity in the United Kingdom, or whether this is just a tactical retreat in the face of international criticism. But we have to take our victories where we can, and resolve to push onward in the fight against the global censorship regime.
This victory is not minor, though. The Metropolitan Police, which has garnered a tremendous amount of criticism for its speech policing, is saying that it will stop investigating so-called "non-crime hate incidents," which is just another way of characterizing speech that triggers liberals.
Met Police says it will stop investigating non-crime hate incidents, as it drops probe into Graham Linehan's X posts https://t.co/Za7tIadsN5
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 20, 2025
Of course, "non-crime" does a lot of work, both in what it includes and what it excludes. What constitutes a crime is still likely up to the discretion of the police. Some bobbie on the street can decide you committed a hate crime by preaching Christianity or praying silently and off you go. Make the wrong tweet and you can wind up in jail.
The Metropolitan Police says it will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents to allow officers to "focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations".
The announcement came as the Met confirmed it was dropping a probe into Father Ted creator Graham Linehan after he was arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of inciting violence in posts on X.
"This decision means that no charges will be brought against Graham Linehan in relation to this allegation," a detective wrote in an email to the comic on Monday.
Mr Linehan was arrested by five officers on 1 September after arriving on a flight from the US, sparking a backlash from some public figures and politicians.
In the email to his lawyers, a Metropolitan Police detective wrote: "I am writing to inform you that following a review of the evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service, it has been determined that no further action will be taken in this matter.
"Please note that this decision may be reconsidered if further evidence or information comes to light."
So...they are dropping the case like a hot potato because it looks really bad for them, but are reserving the right to go after people who won't get the same kind of attention that arresting a popular comedian might. Or, as I wrote about this weekend, a lawyer wearing a Star of David.
🚨 WATCH: Police interview footage obtained by The Telegraph shows a detective accusing the Jewish man of openly wearing a Star of David that could cause “offence”.
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 18, 2025
Click here ⬇️https://t.co/KDuj6I69IG pic.twitter.com/VBoLpokEcL
What is striking is the amount of discretion the police have--they can basically pick and choose what speech they want to suppress, how to classify it, and use that power to intimidate ordinary citizens to keep them silent.
In a statement on Monday addressing non-crime hate incidents, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it "understands the concern" around Mr Linehan's case.
"The Commissioner has been clear he doesn't believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position," the spokesperson said.
The policy change would "provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations," the spokesperson added.
Non-crime hate incidents are alleged acts perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards people with certain characteristics, such as race or transgender identity.
For every person willing to spend the time and resources to fight for their right to speak, there are likely tens or hundreds who won't consider it worth it to buck the system.
Non-crime hate incidents were introduced in 2014.
— Fr Calvin Robinson ©️®️ (@calvinrobinson) October 20, 2025
13,000 recorded non-crime “hate” incidents every year.
Police investigated hurty words whenever a liberal took offence - weaponised language.
Ten years of Conservative government did nothing about this attack on free speech. https://t.co/WFKIUd7h9j
Linehan's case shows how far the police have been willing to go--they monitored his speech while in America and arrested him as he entered the UK. Promising to pull back from such radical measures may count as a victory, but I have my suspicions that this move merely indicates that the police will pick and choose who to harass more carefully.
Stick to the hoi polloi. They can be more easily intimidated.
As Beege's article on the fight between 4Chan and UK censors demonstrates, there is a very long way to go.
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