JK Rowling slams Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘ego’ over Scotland’s gender self-ID row

JK Rowling has led a feminist backlash over claims made by former Scottish First Minister Nichola Sturgeon over her infamous gender self-ID law.

Rowling was responding to comments by Sturgeon after she refused to accept that the backlash to the bill had been driven by normal people and had instead been concocted by “forces” who “muscled in” on the trans debate.

The Harry Potter author accused the former First Minister of “rewriting history” and attempting to find something she classed as a “worthy adversary” rather than admitting the bill was opposed by ordinary people.

During recent media rounds, Sturgeon has surprised many with her comments claiming that there was no “massive public opposition” to the law until it passed. At the time, many saw it as one of the most controversial plans in a generation, leading to an eventual SNP rebellion.

Last week, Sturgeon told the Guardian: “There were forces that muscled into that debate who, I think, you know, had a bigger agenda in terms of rights more generally.”

Several Scottish women’s groups have urged Sturgeon to name “the forces” that she believes are responsible with Rowling saying: “Her ego requires her signature Bill to have been opposed by something she considers a worthy adversary, rather than members of the public who don’t want cross-dressing men running rape crisis centres.”

The author suggested that somebody should buy Sturgeon a copy of “The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht” for Christmas, a series of essays on the subject to which Rowling contributed.

Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland told The Herald: “No doubt, Ms Sturgeon would prefer to believe she was thwarted by well-funded ‘shadowy forces’ rather than determined ordinary women risking their all, but her words have the potential to do a good deal of reputational damage to groups like FWS.

“If Ms Sturgeon has any decency or honesty, she will spell out what she means. If she has any introspection, she should acknowledge that her own hubris also played a part.”

Sturgeon’s self-ID law would have allowed any Scot over the age of 16 to change their legal sex by signing a declaration, but the bill was eventually blocked by the UK government and was never signed into law.

The letter, signed by groups such as For Women Scotland, Scottish Feminist Network and Scottish Lesbians said: “If you believe that there are groups or individuals with an agenda to ‘push back rights generally’ who are ‘muscling in’ on Scottish politics, you have a duty to state who or what you believe they are, and how you believe they are operating in Scotland, as precisely as possible.

“Then, the influence of any such groups or individuals can be properly investigated and challenged, as necessary.”

Ms Sturgeon also claimed that a debate over equal marriage would be “much more toxic, divisive and unpleasant” in the age of culture wars and identity politics.

She said: “We consulted on the legislation for longer than we consulted on anything else and right up until the point of the legislation passing, I don’t think it was the case that there was massive public opposition.

“But things became so toxic and opposition became so entrenched and – this is not the case for everybody who opposed that legislation – but there were forces that muscled into that debate who, I think, you know, had a bigger agenda in terms of rights more generally.”

The Express has contacted Ms Sturgeon for comment.