Linehan was trying to get trans activist to ‘stop pushing camera in his face’

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, last month. (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan damaged the phone of a transgender activist as he tried to stop a camera being pushed in his face, a court has heard.

The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer is on trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, accused of harassing trans woman Sophia Brooks and damaging the phone outside a conference in Westminster on October 19 last year.