JK Rowling says ‘arrest me’ over transphobic comments

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal", the Harry Potter author said

The Harry Potter author, who has become a fierce critic of the Scottish Government’s stance on transgender rights, has been one of the highest-profile critics of the legislation.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into effect on Monday, consolidating existing hate crime legislation and creating a new offence of stirring up hatred against protected characteristics.

However, women have not been given protection under the law, with the Scottish Government instead promising to bring forward legislation to tackle misogyny.

But with the new Act giving protection to transgender people, Rowling – who does not believe people can change their gender – insisted: “Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal.”

“We believe in free speech”

In a statement given to The Daily Telegraph, Rishi Sunak backed the author and promised that his party will “always protect” free speech.

“People should not be criminalised for stating simple facts on biology,” he said.

“We believe in free speech in this country, and Conservatives will always protect it.”

In a social media post criticising the new laws, Rowling insisted that the “legislation is wide open to abuse by activists who wish to silence those of us speaking out about the dangers of eliminating women’s and girls’ single-sex spaces”.

Related links:

JK Rowling slams Sky News for referring to cat killer as woman

JK Rowling says she would ‘happily’ go to prison for her transphobic views

All mention of JK Rowling removed from museum’s Harry Potter exhibit