Police won’t charge JK Rowling for her views – but what about the beliefs of Christians?

The Harry Potter author was quick to test a new Scottish law which criminalises “stirring up hate”. Police say no action will be taken against her, but the legislation could still prohibit Christians from speaking up on marriage, sex and abortion, says Lois McLatchie

As the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill finally passed into law on 1 April, JK Rowling immediately set about challenging it. In a series of social media posts, the Harry Potter author described several transgender women as men, including convicted prisoners, trans activists and other public figures. 

She said “freedom of speech and belief” was at an end if accurate descriptions of biological sex were outlawed, and challenged authorities to arrest her on her return to the country.

Yesterday, police confirmed that her remarks had not broken the law, which Rowling said she hoped would reassure others that they, too, could speak truth freely.