Chancellor Rishi Sunak has publicly supported writer JK Rowling amid controversies over the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act in Scotland. Rowling, known for her criticisms of the Scottish Government’s approach to transgender rights, has voiced concerns that the legislation may restrict freedom of speech.

The Act, which recently became effective, has sparked discussions regarding its implications on speech and legal protections. Sunak, stressing the significance of free speech, backed Rowling by highlighting the necessity to express viewpoints without facing penalization, particularly on topics such as basic biological facts.

Rowling’s apprehensions include a potential misuse of the law by activists to stifle debate on women’s rights and gender issues. In contrast, Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf defended the legislation, emphasising its role in fighting hatred and expressing confidence in Police Scotland’s capability to enforce it efficiently.

The ongoing discourse reflects broader tensions on balancing hate crime prevention with the safeguarding of free expression in Scotland, with outcomes of the new law’s implementation closely watched by both supporters and critics.