'Like being savaged by a dead sheep': JK Rowling brutally mocks Lib Dem MP who claims she's 'desperate for attention and relevance' with her trans stance
JK Rowling today hit back at a Liberal Democrat MP who claimed she's revealed a desperation for 'attention and relevance' by being outspoken on trans issues.
The Harry Potter author mocked Ben Maguire, his party's shadow attorney general, over his comments in the House of Commons last night.
Speaking in a debate to mark Pride Month, Mr Maguire singled out Rowling for criticism as he attacked those who had 'poisoned the public discourse'.
'As well as politicians, public figures desperate for attention and relevance such as JK Rowling have poisoned the public discourse with attacks on our trans community,' he told MPs.
'All under the false dichotomy that it is not possible to be a true feminist and protect women's rights without attacking and abusing the trans community.
'A phoney culture war which has left trans people fearful just to be themselves.'
The MP for North Cornwall, added: 'The tone of this debate has been so un-British. It is much more like the US, where everything is dealt with in extreme absolutes.'
But, after Mr Maguire's criticisms of JK Rowling were shared on social media, the author swiped it was 'like being savaged by a dead sheep'.
'In the immortal words of Dennis Healey [sic], it was like being savaged by a dead sheep,' Rowling posted on X/Twitter in reference to the former Labour chancellor.
Rowling has seen more than 600 million copies of her Harry Potter books sold worldwide.
In recent years, she has become known for regularly intervening on trans rights issues - which has included frequent clashes with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In April, after a Supreme Court ruling that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, Rowling posted a picture of herself holding a drink and puffing a cigar.
She added the caption: 'I love it when a plan comes together.'
Rowling's outspokenness on trans issues has sparked tensions with those stars who appeared in the Harry Potter film series.
But, following the remarks by Mr Maguire, she was defended by Dr Zoe Hollowood, chair of Liberal Voice for Women - a group of Lib Dem members campaigning for women's sex-based rights.
She said: 'To accuse J K Rowling of entering this debate to seek attention or relevance is ludicrous.
'Anyone who has followed this issue knows JK Rowling thought very carefully before entering this debate, knowing full well the vitriol and threats being levelled at women and their families for speaking out.
'But ultimately, she felt she could not stay silent whilst other women lost jobs for their view that sex is real and matters.
'She has received many rape and death threats for her willingness to speak out, for using her platform to raise the concerns of women/
'And the fact she has refused to back down, cannot be cancelled, seems to have enraged certain people in particular.'
She added: 'Voters will be left confused on where the Lib Dems stand on this issue with Ed Davey taking a moderate stance and other Lib Dem MPs using extreme trans talking points.'
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