JK Rowling 'will defend women pursued by cops for calling a man a man'

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

59% : In other posts she scoffed at those who had been given high-profile roles to represent women, such as UN Women selecting Munroe Bergdorf as its first ever UK champion.
58% : Under the Hate Crime Act, the threshold of criminal liability is not that a victim feels offended but that a reasonable person would consider the perpetrator's action or speech to be threatening or abusive.
53% : She warned the police that she was ready to intervene if they pursued lower-profile women for making similar comments, adding: '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.'Ms Rowling, a prominent critic of gender identity, has been targeted by trans activists who vowed to pursue her under the new law.
53% : Do all minorities covered by the Act have the same legal protection?
52% : What about religion?'Discussion or criticism' of religion is permitted under the Act - together with 'expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult'.
52% : Professor Tomkins, a legal expert at Glasgow University, backed the broad principles of the Act - but ultimately voted against it while an MSP over the extension of its reach to people's homes.
51% : What have the police said about the Act?The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents has warned that activists could seek to 'weaponise' the new legislation.
50% : The Scottish Government's Hate Crime and Public Order Act will criminalise threatening behaviour that stirs up hatred against people because of their characteristicsThe Harry Potter author ridiculed the legislation a string of tweets on X where she sarcastically urged her followers to respect 'lovely Scottish lass' Isla Bryon - a convicted double rapistWriting in The Times newspaper, she said she had raised 'two core concerns' with him, about the 'protection of vocal disagreement without fear of recrimination, and misogyny' -
50% : This includes an explicit clause, a defence for the accused's behaviour being 'reasonable' and that the Act is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
50% : Is there any legal defence to a charge under the Act?
48% : Great choice, UN Women!'Rowling said in a lengthy statement on X: 'The re-definition of 'woman' to include every man who declares himself one has already had serious consequences for women's and girls' rights and safety in Scotland, with the strongest impact felt, as ever, by the most vulnerable, including female prisoners and rape survivors.
46% : Critics say this level of state intrusion is unjustifiable and Lord Bracadale, who carried out the review which led to the new law, was opposed to the move.
44% : With the Alba Party having launched a petition calling for the Act to be repealed, Ms Regan stated: 'As a junior minister in 2021 I voted for a Bill that promised a pathway to additional protections.
44% : Summary convictions dealt with in magistrates' courts will be able to carry prison terms of up to 12 months as well as fines, while more serious offenders who are indicted and handled in crown courts could be jailed for as many as seven years while also facing potential fines.
43% : What are the possible penalties?Someone convicted of stirring up hatred under the Act after a jury trial could be jailed for seven years, or be hit with a fine, or both.
40% : 'Humza Yousaf should bin his Hate Crime Act and instead divert resources towards frontline policing which is at breaking point.'Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell, speaking at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority board, said the force would apply the Act 'in a measured way'.
39% : There has been widespread condemnation of the new law - the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act - amid fears it will be weaponised for political purposesChief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of ASPS, has raised serious concerns about the law in a letter to Holyrood's criminal justice committeeThe First Minister has repeatedly said there is 'disinformation' being spread about the Bill and what it entails, claiming there is a 'triple lock' of protection for speech.
35% : Police Scotland insists it will not 'target' actors and stand-up comedians who take part in productions or make jokes which could be considered to contravene the Act.
32% : Will 'misgendering' be a criminal offence under the Act?

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