The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he faces trial accused of harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court where he faces trial accused of harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks.

The 57-year-old comedy writer has denied harassing transgender activist Sophia Brooks on social media and a further charge of damaging her mobile phone in October

The Irish comedy writer, 56, wrote on social media that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London in October

The Irishman spoke to crowds from a podium outside Holyrood after the original venue for his planned show, Leith Arches, and a second unnamed venue cancelled the show he was due to appear in

“Our replacement venue has cancelled on us too, but we’re still going ahead tonight at 7.30! Ticket holders have been emailed with the new location.”

An Edinburgh venue has axed the Comedy Unleashed event featuring Linehan, a vocal critic of aspects of the trans rights movement, which was due to take place on Thursday.