Nicola Sturgeon hits back at JK Rowling and opens up on her resignation and marriage

JK Rowling is 'punching down on trans people', Nicola Sturgeon has told LBC - after the author left a scathing review of her new memoir. The former First Minister and leader of the SNP spoke with Iain Dale about her new book 'Frankly' on Thursday evening. The Harry Potter author has been a long-time critic of Ms Sturgeon and her views on gender self-ID. She previously accused her of being "flat out Trumpian in her shameless denial of reality and hard facts" on issues relating to trans and women's rights. In her near-3000-word review, published on her own website, the billionaire author accused the former first minister, who passed gender reform legislation at Holyrood, of holding "luxury beliefs" that have caused "real, lasting harm" to women. Responding to this, Ms Sturgeon told Iain Dale: "I've bought the Harry Potter books for all the young people in my life and I'll continue to do so. She's entitled to her views," she said. "Someone in her position appears to be punching down on trans people." When asked about the transgender rapist Isla Bryson, Ms Sturgeon said: "Bryson is a rapist and is in a male prison and that's where they should be. I don't care. She's in a male prison and that's where they should be." She added: "I'd like to think we can get to a more rational place in this." Bryson, 31, was convicted last month of raping two women - one in Clydebank in 2016 and one in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019.