JK Rowling has accused Sir Keir Starmer of misrepresenting equalities law, claiming Labour can ‘no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights.’
Sir Keir told The Times that ‘trans women are women’ according to statute in the UK, and called for a more ‘considered, respectful, tolerant debate’ about gender.
But Rowling said he had misrepresented the law, which she said indicated ‘the Labour Party can no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights.’
Sharing an article on Twitter about a Tory police and crime commissioner reportedly reprimanded for her comments on gender issues, she said: ‘I don’t think our politicians have the slightest idea how much anger is building among women from all walks of life at the attempts to threaten and intimidate them out of speaking publicly about their own rights, their own bodies and their own lives.
‘Among the thousands of letters and emails I’ve received are disillusioned members of Labour, the Greens, the Lib Dems and the SNP. Women are scared, outraged and angry at the deaf ear turned to their well-founded concerns. But women are organising.
‘Now @Keir_Starmer publicly misrepresents equalities law, in yet another indication that the Labour Party can no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights. But I repeat: women are organising across party lines, and their resolve and their anger are growing.’
The newspaper said he called for a ‘more considered, respectful, tolerant debate about these issues,’ adding that he doesn’t think ‘it furthers the interests of anybody to continue the debate in the way that it’s been going on now for some time.’
Harry Potter author Rowling has frequently made headlines and caused outrage with her comments on the transgender community.
Stars of the franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, have come out in support of their trans fans and voiced their disagreement with the writer’s comments.
Labour declined to comment.
Reps for JK Rowling have been contacted.
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