A man who attacked a Quran-burning protester with a knife in central London has been spared prison, triggering widespread outrage and accusations of “two-tier justice” and double standards in policing and sentencing.

Thames Valley Police have been accused of undermining free speech after an officer asked a woman to apologise for a social media post.

Graham Linehan, creator of Father Ted, was arrested by five armed police officers at Heathrow over three gender-critical social media posts.