You were right on trans issues, author tells Father Ted creator

Author John Boyne has apologised to Graham Linehan for criticising his stance on trans issues, saying: “You were right, I was wrong.” Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, wrote a 2019 children’s story about a trans teenager, My Brother’s Name is Jessica. At the time, he wrote a newspaper column in which he criticised Linehan’s gender-critical views, saying: “At best, he seems like one of his own creations, roaring ‘down with this sort of thing’ to anyone who’ll listen, while at worst he comes across as someone masking intolerance by promoting himself as a champion of women.” But Boyne has now issued a public apology on social media, saying he has reflected on the issue. He is currently unable to work in the industry he loves.” He said that there was “no legal reason” for him to post the message, adding: “In fact, Graham will be as surprised by its appearance as anyone – but I’ve given a lot of thought to this and realised that all I did in that piece five years ago was add to the pile-on of a decent man in a vulnerable place, when I could have used my platform to defend and support him. “Graham, without equivocation, without excuses, and without evasion: you were right, I was wrong, and I apologise.” Speaking out against trans activists Linehan thanked him for the apology, saying it was “very decent”.