JK Rowling lands in trouble with hate law posts, police say her actions 'not criminal'

British author JK Rowling's social media comments in which she challenged the new hate crime law of Scotland are not being seen as a criminal act, said Police Scotland.

The celebrated author, who is famous for her Harry Potter series, described various transgender women as men, which included trans activists, convicted prisoners and other public figures.

As per the new law, "stirring up hatred" in relation to protected characteristics is seen as a new crime. The police confirmed that they have received complaints but no action will be taken against Rowling.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Reacting to the row, Rowling wrote on X, "I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women - irrespective of profile or financial means - will be treated equally under the law."

"If they go after any woman for simply calling a man a man, I'll repeat that woman's words and they can charge us both at once," she added.

Also Read:Transgender broadcaster reports UK author JK Rowling to police over 'misgendering', 'hate crime'

According to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, it is a criminal offence to make derogatory comments on the basis of disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

Under the Public Order Act 1986 in Great Britain, spreading hatred on the basis of race, colour, nationality or ethnicity is illegal and is now also a part of the new law.

More than 3,000 complaints have reached Police Scotland since the law came into effect on Monday.

In a previous post on X, Rowling mentioned trans woman Katie Neeves, who was appointed a UN Women UK delegate,

The author said that Neeves "switched from straight man to lesbian at the age of 48".

Neeves reacts to Rowling's post, PM Sunak backs author

Speaking to BBC, Neeves said she was "very disappointed" with Police Scotland.

"JK Rowling is a bully and this act was designed to stop bullying, and if they're not going to enforce it then that's very disappointing," she said.

"She listed me and some other trans people along with some sex offenders and put it out to 14 million of her followers. That was inciting hatred and it resulted in me receiving thousands of messages of hate. So it's done what she set out for it to do," Neeves added.

She claimed that the story published all over the world was "all misinformation about me". "It's horrible and it's really harmful," she added.

Watch:UK PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling as row over Scotland's new hate crime law escalates

Meanwhile, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier supported Rowling's stance and said that the country had a proud tradition of free speech.

Sunak added that he would not specifically clarify if he supported her approach and said that it was "not right for me to comment on police matters, individual matters".

"We should not be criminalising people saying common sense things about biological sex, clearly that isn't right. We have a proud tradition of free speech," Sunak said.

(With inputs from agencies)