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JK Rowling: Humza Yousaf will 'disappear through the ice' like Nicola Sturgeon

The Harry Potter author made the remarks in relation to Mr Yousaf’s support for controversial self-ID gender legislation - Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Harry Potter author made the remarks in relation to Mr Yousaf’s support for controversial self-ID gender legislation - Samir Hussein/WireImage

JK Rowling has said Humza Yousaf, the new Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, “will disappear through the ice” like Nicola Sturgeon.

The Harry Potter author made the remarks in relation to Mr Yousaf’s support for controversial gender legislation passed in Scotland which makes it easier for biological males to self-identify as women, and thus access female-only spaces.

Responding to a Tweet about Mr Yousaf's support for the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, Ms Rowling wrote: "Humza Yousaf is the kid who just saw the skater in front of him disappear through the ice, but yells 'watch me, everybody!' while wobbling straight for the hole."

Mr Yousaf is due to replace Ms Scottish First Minister after emerging victorious in an SNP leadership contest on Monday.

Ms Sturgeon, who was the SNP leader for eight years, announced her resignation last month amid criticism that her support for the Gender Recognition Reform Bill was endangering women.

It came as Isla Bryson, a biologically male double rapist, who committed the attacks while still known as Adam Graham, was initially sent to a female prison.

The case was seen as contributing to the end of Nicola Sturgeon’s political career as the decision to house Bryson in a female prison was made under a Scottish Prison Service policy that followed the same principle as her gender self-ID laws.

Ms Rowling has previously attacked Mr Yousaf over his pledge to protect women's rights, accusing him of backing legislation that would have allowed rapists to be housed in women's prisons.

Humza Yousaf posted a picture of himself on Twitter holding up a large cardboard cutout of a pink heart bearing the slogan: "Upholding Rights."

Pledging to "advance women's rights," a prominent issue in the SNP leadership contest, Mr Yousaf set out six measures he would take, including improving support for sexual offence victims and having a gender-balanced Cabinet.

But Ms Rowling sarcastically responded: "What a lovely pink heart. Now tell us why you voted down the amendment to stop rapists being housed in women’s jails, Humza Yousaf."

Ms Rowling added the names of three high-profile transgender criminals - Isla Bryson, Katie Dolatowski and Paris Green.

Mr Yousaf was the only one of the three SNP leadership candidates to back Ms Sturgeon's controversial legislation allowing people to self-identify their legal gender.