New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- The arrest of comedy writer Graham Linehan in Britain over social media posts about transgender people has sparked a debate about freedom of speech and its limits.

Supporters of Linehan say U.K. laws are stifling legitimate comment and creating what "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling -- like Linehan, a critic of trans activism - called "totalitarianism."

Others argue that online abuse and hate speech have real-world impact and police have a duty to take it seriously. London's police chief said ambiguities in the law had left officers "in an impossible position."

Arrested at the airport

Linehan, the co-creator of beloved 1990s sitcom "Father Ted" and other shows including "The IT Crowd," says he was detained by fi...