JK Rowling has launched a scathing review of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, comparing her to US President Donald Trump and the Twilight character Bella Swan. The Harry Potter author accused Ms Sturgeon of being “flat out Trumpian in her shameless denial of reality and hard facts” on matters relating to trans and women’s rights.
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In her near-3,000-word review, published on her own website, Rowling criticised Sturgeon for holding what she called “luxury beliefs” that have caused “real, lasting harm” to women. She argued that the politician’s support for gender self-identification legislation overlooked risks from male predators exploiting such policies. Rowling also published what appeared to be an AI-generated image of Ms Sturgeon in the woods in front of a wolf and a vampire.
Rowling further criticised omissions in Sturgeon’s memoir, citing missing WhatsApp messages from the Covid pandemic, issues with education standards, delayed ferries, and Scotland’s high drug death rate. She said Sturgeon remained “stubbornly wedded” to her positions and had not been humbled by the Supreme Court ruling that sex in the UK Equality Act refers to biological sex.
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Ms Sturgeon has defended her principles on gender self-ID but expressed regret at not seeking common ground. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, she described the debate as “toxic on both sides” and admitted she wished she had found “a more collegiate way forward” on the issue.
