Boy in the Striped Pyjamas author John Boyne apologises to Graham Linehan and tells him ‘you were right’ – four years after criticising the Father Ted creator over ‘the trans debate’

Irish novelist John Boyne appears to have buried the hatchet with anti-gender ideology campaigner Graham Linehan and praised the latter’s efforts to support women and children as well as same-sex attracted people.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ author posted a lengthy letter of apology on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he addressed their past differences.

It follows a turbulent week after former Moloko singer Róisín Murphy was blasted by the trans lobby for speaking out against puberty blockers on her private Facebook page.

Boyne, 52, a prolific writer who is also gay, found himself on the same side as the Father Ted creator in defending Ms Murphy, several of whose gigs have been cancelled despite her posting a grovelling apology online.

In his post, Boyne said he was sorry for a 2019 article in The Irish Times, in which he was dismissive of Graham Linehan’s involvement in ‘the trans debate’.

Linehan had earlier been scornful of Boyne’s attempts to defend Murphy last week, noting that the writer had ‘enthusiastically joined in’ his cancellation in 2019

Boyne wrote: ‘It’s almost five years later and during that time, [Linehan] has criticized me many times, most recently in late August when I supported the singer Róisín Murphy, who was attacked for daring to suggest that vulnerable, sexually confused children needed to be protected.

‘I was a vulnerable, sexually confused child once, so I appreciated her intervention.

‘Even then, I stuck to my guns, refusing to take his criticism on board. But watching what’s been happening to Róisín’s story in recent weeks has made me reflect on this.

‘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 persona 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 no legal reason for me to post this message – 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.’

In response, Linehan wrote: ‘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.’

Boyne’s letter garnered messages of admiration online after he openly admitted to being wrong. 

Campaign group For Women Scotland wrote: ‘Wonderful, generous, and – frankly – adorable letter. It takes a big person to do this. Lovely to see the response from Glinner too!’

Actor James Dreyfus tweeted: ‘Rarely I have I witnessed such a gracious & admirable statement. It speaks much to the character of John Boyne to publicly, & entirely of his own volition, send such an open & honest letter to [Graham Linehan]. Blown away…’

Rosie Kay posted: ‘What an apology. That takes guts and integrity. Wonderful to read and a wonderful acceptance from [Linehan]).

Farrah added: ‘I love that you did this. There really is no harm in admitting you’ve made a mistake or changed your view because those are things that happen to all of us – we’re humans. I hope it gives Graham some solace and I wish more people would do as you have.’

Last week, it was reported that two Róisín Murphy gigs were cancelled at short notice after a social media pile-on by trans activists following the Irish singer’s comments about puberty blockers.

The Sing It Back artist’s record label is also reported to have ceased promotion on her new album, Hit Parade, which is scheduled to come out on Friday, September 8, and will donate all proceeds to trans-supporting charities.

The former frontwoman for top ten hitmakers Moloko, who has since had a successful solo career, issued a grovelling apology this week after an online pile-on by Twitter users claiming to be LGBTQ+ allies.

Murphy was barracked by activists after branded puberty blockers ‘f******’ on her private Facebook page and appearing to call trans children ‘little mixed-up kids’.

Two scheduled performances featuring the 50-year-old in London this week to coincide with the launch of the album have been axed, with supporters branding it an example of cancel culture.

Murphy had been due to play two acoustic shows and take part in two signings at Rough Trade East in London on Friday, September 8, but these were cancelled at short notice with no reason given as to why.

It comes mid reports that her record label, Ninja Tune, will stop its public relations campaign for her new album and will release it without promotion.

The independent label has not commented publicly so far on the row, but a source told the Toronto Star the label plans to give all proceeds from the album to organisations that combat transphobia.

British choreographer Rosie Kay lambasted the reports, writing on Twitter that the way Murphy was being treated was ‘appalling’. 

She wrote: ‘Róisín Murphy if you need support please let me know. There is an army of artists out here who support you and seek to end cancel culture. 

‘This is bad for audiences, bad for women, bad for children and deadening to the arts.’

MailOnline contacted Ninja Tune and Rough Trade, and attempted to reach out to Murphy, for comment.

The electropop singer was hounded after simply writing a comment from her private Facebook page expressing concern about children being given the drugs.

Murphy wrote: ‘Puberty blockers are f*****, absolutely desolate, big pharma laughing all the way to the bank.

‘Little mixed-up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected, that’s just true.

‘Please don’t call me a terf, please don’t keep using that word against women.’

Terf is a derogatory slang term used by the trans lobby to insult people who do not align with their own views. It means Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist.

In Murphy’s lengthy apology she said she had not meant to offend anyone who may have disagreed with her.

The musician said: ‘I have been thrown into a very public discourse in an arena I’m uncomfortable in and deeply unsuitable for.

‘I cannot apologise enough for being the reason for this eruption of damaging and potentially dangerous social-media fire and brimstone.

‘To witness the ramifications of my actions and the divisions it has caused is heartbreaking.

‘I’ve had a personal Facebook account for years. The morning I made these comments I was scrolling and I brought up a specific issue that was only broadly related to the original post.’

She went on to say she had spent her whole life celebrating diversity and different views.

Murphy added she never deliberately aimed for any demographic or group or people for her music.

She continued: ‘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.’