Harry Potter author JK Rowling has launched a fierce verbal assault against former spin doctor Alastair Campbell and ex-cabinet minister Rory Stewart, branding them as exceptionally arrogant individuals whose perspectives on gender issues are dripping with classism and misogyny. The literary icon's comments emerged during a heated exchange on social media platform X, where she responded to a post by campaign group For Women Scotland.
Social Media Spat Escalates
The controversy ignited when For Women Scotland, whose directors famously celebrated outside the Supreme Court following last April's landmark ruling on the definition of a woman, posted a farewell message to London. Rowling seized the opportunity to mock Campbell and Stewart, sharing a video clip from Scooby-Doo featuring frightened characters with the caption: Live footage of @campbellclaret and @RoryStewartUK.
Campbell's Response and Rowling's Retort
When Campbell characterized Rowling's social media activity as a bit weird and revealed that both he and Stewart had previously invited the 60-year-old author to discuss her views on their podcast, Rowling delivered her blistering assessment. That's because I wasn't interested in being used to boost the viewing figures of a pair of exceptionally arrogant men whose understanding of this issue drips with classism and misogyny, she declared in her response.
Rowling questioned why Campbell and Stewart showed no interest in interviewing the women from For Women Scotland who secured the Supreme Court victory, describing them as THE leading voices on this issue. She pointedly referenced Campbell's daughter Grace, who had previously described the campaigners as ugly women she wouldn't want to share a room with.
Daughter's Comments Fuel Controversy
The dispute gained additional layers when Grace Campbell's comments from June resurfaced, in which she labeled the Supreme Court campaigners as freaks with the worst hair and the worst clothes... and the worst views. She added they were not aspirational in any way. These remarks sparked significant online outrage, with Rowling mocking the assumption that many would applaud like seals in agreement with such characterizations.
Broader Political Context
The gender debate extends beyond this personal confrontation into wider political territory. Former Equality and Human Rights Commission head Baroness Kishwer Falkner has accused Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson of delaying guidance on single-sex spaces due to career ambitions. Nearly a year after the Supreme Court ruling that defined woman in the Equality Act as referring to biological woman and biological sex, the government has yet to publish updated codes for businesses.
Lady Falkner described this delay as cowardice that betrayed women, while also criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for failing to uphold legislation protecting women's single-sex spaces. Campbell had previously criticized the Supreme Court ruling's clarity on his podcast with Stewart, bemoaning images of celebrating women and Rowling smoking a celebratory cigar.
Ongoing Challenges and Debates
For Women Scotland has challenged Stewart and Campbell to invite them onto their podcast, stating they remain still waiting for a response. They expressed willingness to take up the offer and tell us we are toxic for the crime of being happy, adding that it would provide Campbell an opportunity to repeat his daughter's ugly freaks characterization directly to their faces.
Campbell has acknowledged that his views were informed by Grace, my daughter, and her friends, almost all of whom found this judgment really quite alarming and dangerous. Meanwhile, Rowling continues to be an outspoken advocate for her position, frequently engaging in online debates about gender identity and celebrating the Supreme Court's definitional clarity regarding biological sex.
