Insiders Advisor
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics

Insiders Advisor

World News

J.K. Rowling will not face action under Scottish hate crime laws, police say

by April 3, 2024
April 3, 2024
J.K. Rowling will not face action under Scottish hate crime laws, police say

LONDON — J.K. Rowling will not face any action under Scotland’s new hate crime law after she challenged it by asserting on social media that a number of transgender women were men, police said on Tuesday.

The Harry Potter author, a prominent gender critical campaigner, made the comments on Monday, the day that the crime of “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity came into effect.

She was backed by British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak, who said people should not be criminalized for saying “common sense” things about biological sex.

Police Scotland said it had received complaints in relation to Ms. Rowling’s social media post.

“The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken,” a spokesperson said.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf had said the bill was about “protecting people from a rising tide of hatred.”

“Unless your behavior is threatening or abusive and intends to stir up hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new offences being created,” he said.

Women are not protected as a group, but the Scottish National Party-led government in Edinburgh is looking at separate reforms to target misogyny.

Scotland has been at the forefront of extending rights to the transgender community but a previous attempt to make it easier to change a legal gender was blocked by London over concerns it would impinge existing equality legislation.

The new hate crime law has also faced criticism over its impact on freedom of speech and concerns that it could be used to silence some views, including from those who advocate for women-only spaces.

Ms. Rowling tested the law by listing 10 trans women, including a convicted rapist, sex abusers and high profile activists, on X and saying they were men.

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,” she said.

LAW GIVES POLICE ‘WRONG PRIORITIES,’ PM SAYS
“I’m currently out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”

Scottish ministers have previously said misgendering people would not be an offense under the new law.

However, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown told BBC radio on Monday it would be a matter for police to decide.

Mr. Sunak said Britain had a proud tradition of free speech and that the new law had given the police the wrong priorities.  “We should not be criminalizing people saying common sense things about biological sex,” he told reporters. “Clearly that isn’t right.”

India Willoughby, Britain’s first transgender newsreader and one of those who was listed by Ms. Rowling, questioned why anyone should “publicly denigrate and mock” trans people.

“What a sad pathetic sight. The best-known author in the world sitting up all night to write a mega-long troll post about me, because she’s consumed by a hatred of trans people. Completely deranged,” India Willoughby said.

The Scottish Police Federation said officers were being asked to enforce new laws when resources were being cut.

“We are anticipating a high number of complaints in relation to social media posts and it is clearly going to create a lot of extra work,” it said. — Reuters

previous post
Powerful quake jolts Taiwan
next post
Tesla shares fall after deliveries drop 8.5% from a year ago

Related Posts

Russian nuclear-powered Losharik submarine to be tested in...

March 13, 2024

Bitcoin surges past $68,000, in sight of record...

March 5, 2024

Musk’s new ultimatum spurs fresh confusion among US...

February 26, 2025

Taiwan dispatches forces to areas around island after...

May 23, 2024

ECB keeps rates on hold but acknowledges some...

March 7, 2024

US will not take part in any Israeli...

April 15, 2024

Heat wave killed at least 56 in India...

June 3, 2024

Sanofi to settle 4,000 Zantac cancer lawsuits in...

April 4, 2024

Guilty on all counts, Donald Trump becomes first...

May 31, 2024

‘Not in dreamland’: WTO aims for modest outcomes...

February 26, 2024

    Fill Out & Get More Relevant News


    Stay ahead of the market and unlock exclusive trading insights & timely news. We value your privacy - your information is secure, and you can unsubscribe anytime. Gain an edge with hand-picked trading opportunities, stay informed with market-moving updates, and learn from expert tips & strategies.

    Latest News

    • Tariff case pits Cato Institute against Trump over ‘unlimited’ executive power under emergency law

      July 9, 2025
    • Biden’s strange use of teleprompter in donor’s home infuriated supporters, dashed expectations

      July 9, 2025
    • Supreme Court lets Trump’s ‘wrecking ball’ federal job cuts proceed while legal fight continues

      July 8, 2025
    • Waymo offers teen accounts for driverless rides

      July 8, 2025
    • TikToker knocks Harris’ ‘weird’ take on never released interview: ‘Not good’

      July 8, 2025
    • ‘Who wouldn’t want it?’: Netanyahu open to receiving stealth bombers, bunker-busters from US

      July 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,297)
    • Politics (6,314)
    • Stocks (904)
    • World News (460)
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: insidersadvisor.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 insidersadvisor.com | All Rights Reserved