Rowling challenges Scottish hate crime law, UK govt supports

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday came out in support of 'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling over her stance against a new hate crime law enforced by the devolved government of Scotland, which she says restricts free speech.

The British Indian leader made a statement about the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came in force on Monday and led JK Rowling to issue a sharp rebuke on social media warning against the "dangers of eliminating women's and girls' single-sex spaces".

The law creates a new crime of "stirring up hatred" relating to protected characteristics.

"People should not be criminalised for stating simple facts on biology. We believe in free speech in this country, and Conservatives will always protect it," Rishi Sunak said in a statement.