Author John Boyne apologises to Father Ted author Graham Linehan for criticism over trans points: ‘You had been proper, I used to be incorrect’

Author John Boyne, who beforehand criticised TV author Graham Linehan over his stance on trans points, has issued a public apology, saying: “You were right, I was wrong.”

Boyne is greatest recognized for his 2006 Holocaust novel The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and in 2019 printed My Brother’s Name Is Jessica, a couple of younger boy coming to phrases together with his older sibling transitioning.

At the time, he wrote an article criticising Linehan – an outspoken critic of transgender self-identification – for his involvement within the debate, printed in The Irish Times.

Boyne has now shared a prolonged apology to the Father Ted author on X, previously often called Twitter, explaining that he had mirrored upon seeing the backlash towards singer Roisin Murphy for criticising puberty blockers in a publish on her private Facebook account.

Boyne, who’s homosexual, discovered himself on the identical facet as Linehan in defending Murphy amid stories that a few of her exhibits had been being known as off.

In his apology, the Irish creator wrote: “Graham Linehan – who is without question one of our best screenwriters – has sacrificed enormous amounts in his support of women, children, gay men, and lesbians. He’s experienced trauma in his personal life, been vilified for his views online, in newspapers, and on television. He is currently unable to work in the industry he loves.

“There is not any authorized motive for me to publish this message – actually, Graham will probably be as stunned by its look as anybody – however I’ve given lots of thought to this and realised that every one I did in that piece 5 years in the past was add to the pile-on of a good man in a susceptible place, after I may have used my platform to defend and help him.

“Graham, without equivocation, without excuses, and without evasion: you were right, I was wrong, and I apologise.”

Linehan accepted the apology, writing: “Don’t know what to say. Apology accepted, obviously. I said some things in anger to John that must have made this doubly hard to write, so my particular thanks to him for looking past that. Very decent of you, John, thank you.”

It comes after fellow Irish star Murphy, a Mercury-nominated solo musician after fronting dance act Moloko, confronted criticism for a publish she shared on Facebook, through which she reportedly stated that puberty blockers “are f****d… big pharma laughing all the way to the bank” and that “little mixed-up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected”.

She later issued an apology on X, saying: “I am so sorry my comments have been directly hurtful to many of you. You must have felt a huge shock, blindsided by this so abruptly. I understand fixed views are not helpful but I really hope people can understand my concern was out of love for all of us.”

Read extra:
MP says she’s been ‘cancelled’ over gender views
Woman who lost job over trans views awarded compensation

Before Boyne’s apology to him, Linehan had questioned the author over his defence of Murphy, writing on X: “Seeing John Boyne virtue signalling about Roisin Murphy when he enthusiastically joined in my cancellation is quite the spectacle.”

Linehan co-created the Channel 4 comedy Father Ted and later wrote Black Books and The IT Crowd.

He was banned from X, previously often called Twitter, in 2020 for breaking its guidelines round “hateful conduct” with feedback about trans individuals, however his account was reinstated after Elon Musk took over.

In August, an Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue, Leith Arches, pulled the plug on its Comedy Unleashed event after it received complaints that Linehan was on the bill.