The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said officers are in an impossible position when handling online statements and should not police toxic culture wars debates. He said he would submit suggestions to the Home Office on how social media laws could be clarified and that pilots could be tested within a matter of weeks.

Linehan, 57, was arrested at Heathrow after arriving from Arizona on suspicion of inciting violence in posts about trans issues. Five armed officers from the Met’s Aviation unit carried out the arrest. One post described a trans-identified man in a female space as engaging in a violent act, while another post featured a photo of a trans-rights protest with hostile comments.

In Parliament, Sir Keir Starmer urged police to focus on serious issues such as knife crime and violence and said he would defend free speech. The arrest drew criticism from opposition politicians and author JK Rowling. Health Secretary Wes Streeting suggested the Government could review legislation if the balance between free speech and safety is not right. Sir Mark said he would offer suggestions to the Home Office to clarify the law and policy and to enable police to prioritise cases with real-world harm; a stricter triage process will be put in place to ensure only the most serious matters are pursued. Linehan will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with harassing a transgender woman and damaging her phone, which he denies.