Hi, my name is Graham Linehan. I'm the author or co-author of the sitcoms 'Father Ted', 'The IT Crowd', 'Black Books', 'Count Arthur Strong' and 'Motherland' and for around three years I've been fighting the same people sending death and rape threats to feminists such as Meghan Murphy and JK Rowling. Many people want me to stop, but I won't shut up while women are being erased, harassed and silenced. 

Unfortunately, my activism meant I came to the attention of Stephanie Hayden, a self-styled lawyer (although not in fact qualified as a solicitor or barrister) who has so far launched more than 20 legal actions against people Stephanie wants silenced because their views do not align with Hayden’s views. Hayden uses the police and courts to target enemies, and this is the second time I've been sued by Hayden. 

The case is contrived, and we fully expect it to be successfully defended or even dropped by Hayden, as was Hayden's recent case against Adrian Yalland, and the first case against me. But the legal processes and procedures are complicated and professional representation is necessary to make sure that the right result is achieved.

I believe that Hayden launches these actions merely to run up costs for their victims, as part of the process of pressurising people into being silenced. So, this is where you come in! Hopefully!

My solicitors and barrister are good people and I would love to reward them for their work. They are willing to carry out the work for discounted rates to help me as much as possible. However, legal proceedings involve a lot of work and costs are very high. They have their own overheads and bills to pay, so it would be unfair to ask them to do all of the work for free.

Because of my presence in this fight, however, my income is not at the level it was when it was still possible to buy Father Ted boxed sets. I want to do my best to make it impossible for Hayden to continue to launch these vexatious claims. 

I’m in a fortunate position compared with most of the individuals sued by Hayden, who are generally individuals with little or no public profile, so only their family and friends know how much distress these legal actions cause to them.

If I am able to successfully defeat the claim against me, it will lead to a judgment that can be referred to in other cases, and will hopefully stem the tide. 

The goal is to allow everyone to have and express a legitimate view on a crucial debate, where every attempt is being made by Hayden (and others) to make life as difficult as possible and to silence anyone who holds a view different to theirs.

Free speech was hard-won, and an essential component of any modern society, and we need to stand up and be counted when anyone tries to prevent that.

I am looking to raise a total of £30,000, which will cover the costs of the current litigation. The costs would usually be significantly more than that, but this takes into account the discounted rates that my legal team will be applying.

The work involves dealing with Statements of Case (legal documents that set out the positions of the parties), disclosure, preparation of witness evidence, preparing administrative court documents, preparing for trial and attendance at the trial by my solicitor and barrister.

Please help me to continue to fight this cause, and thank you for reading.