Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tonight backed JK Rowling after she dared police to arrest her under controversial new hate crime laws.
As the legislation came into force in Scotland, the Harry Potter author issued a flurry of social media posts declaring that a string of trans women were men.
The SNP's Hate Crime Act has been widely condemned amid fears it could be used for political purposes. It introduces offences for threatening or abusive behaviour intended to stir up hatred, which in Scotland previously applied only to race, and includes a possible seven-year jail sentence.
Ms Rowling, a prominent gender-identity critic, included trans campaigners and other individuals in her tweets, referring to them as women.
But she ended the thread by saying: 'April Fools! Only kidding. Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them.'
The author, who lives in Edinburgh, added: 'Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal.
'I'm currently out of the country, but if what I've written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.'
She signed it off with the hashtag #arrestme.
As the 58-year-old's comments whipped up a social media storm, the Prime Minister entered the row, saying: '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.'
A Government source said: 'The SNP is taking Scotland down a very dangerous path, with potential for seriously chilling effects on free speech. We are clear that biological sex matters and gender-critical beliefs are protected in British law, and that won't change while the Conservatives are in government.'
Why are Governments getting involved in what people say. Removing freedom of speech is a swift road to totalitarianism. People have a right to express their opinions. What is offensive to one is not offensive to someone else. No one can decide or dictate some ones opinion no matter who does not like it.
@CockyCardinalMountain1mo1MO
The Government aren't. It Scottish laws that Parliament have not passed. In England Wales, and N Ireland we still have our rights and they must stay in play forever. Scotland should return the rights to their people.
@9CJ6CB61mo1MO
I despise Rowling as much as the next guy, but the most I’ll allow for her case is censorship online, not arresting. Words do not lead to arrest unless a much more direct link between the two is proven and found.
Totally agree with JK Rowling on this!
The Scottish Government has managed to turn a once peaceful and happy nation into a divided nation. All these agendas lesson our democracy and our freedom of speech.
@GiddyNarwhalVeteran1mo1MO
The PM is lying since there's no free speech in the UK as it is, this is just extra nonsense added on top so they have even more control over us.
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
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