JK Rowling lashes out at apology from SNP politicians who posed for picture next to death threat placards

Renowned author JK Rowling has rejected the apology of SNP politicians who were pictured standing next to placards calling on women's rights activists to be decapitated.

MPs Kirsten Oswald, Alison Thewliss and Stewart McDonald, as well as MSP Kaukab Stewart, posed at a trans rights rally in Glasgow in front of a number of offensive banners.

Referring to those who are concerned about protecting women's rights as the derogatory slang term "terfs", activists held a sign which said "decapitate TERFS" with a picture of a guillotine on it.

The SNP politicians were stood in front of a sign calling for women's rights campaigners to be decapitated

The SNP politicians apologised for the image, saying they were "unaware" of the placards behind them.

Criticising the response, Rowling sarcastically suggested the apology was insincere.

"I too beam with delight when having my photograph taken with things of which I am entirely unaware," she said.

"A strange new form of temporary blindness has broken out among Scottish politicians.

"None of them could read placards calling for violence against women while standing inches away from them, yet they were instantly cured when photos of them posing with the signs hit the press."

Stewart said she was "not aware of these hateful signs", while Thewliss said she was unable to see what was behind her, and Oswald described the banner a "horrific sign" which "wasn’t there when I joined the demo."

McDonald added: "The violent sign at yesterday’s rally is utterly heinous and condemned without question. I suspect it may even be unlawful.

JK Rowling had led anger at the image
Yui Mok

"The moron who made it and is holding it has done those protesting for trans equality and democracy no favours - quite the opposite."

Hundreds of protesters had attended an event on January 21 to protest against the UK Government blocking Scotland's Gender Reform Recognition Act.

Nicola Sturgeon's government had passed legislation that would make it easier for someone to change their gender and lower the age at which they could do so from 18 to 16 years old.

Westminster ministers warned that the legislation was incompatible with UK-wide equality laws.