JK Rowling has accused Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart of being ‘exceptionally arrogant’ and of ‘dripping with classism and misogyny’ amid a gender row.
The Harry Potter author took aim at the former spin doctor, who co-hosts a podcast with former cabinet member Rory Stewart called The Rest Is Politics.
The Harry Potter author took a swipe at the former spin doctor, as well as former cabinet minister Stewart, on X in response to a tweet by For Women Scotland.
The group, whose directors drank champagne outside the Supreme Court after a landmark ruling last April on the definition of a woman, posted two members with the caption: ‘Farewell London, it’s been a blast. Sorry we missed you @campbellclaret!’
Meanwhile, Rowling also jabbed at the two political figures with a video of a frightened Scooby Doo being held by an also terrified Shaggy, captioned: ‘Live footage of @campbellclaret and @RoryStewartUK.’
But when Campbell responded, branding the move as a ‘bit weird’ while also claiming the two had previously asked the 60-year-old if she would discuss her views as a ‘leading voice’, and she said no, Rowling labelled the pair as ‘exceptionally arrogant’.
‘That’s because I wasn’t interested in being used to boost the viewing figures of a pair of exceptionally arrogant men whose understanding of this issue drips with classism and misogyny, @campbellclaret,’ she wrote.
‘If you’re genuinely interested in a debate, I’m at a loss to understand why you’re uninterested in interviewing, who secured the Supreme Court victory and are therefore THE leading voices on this issue.
‘But perhaps your charming daughter has adequately represented the entire Campbell family’s view, by describing them as ‘ugly’ women, with whom she wouldn’t ‘want to be in a room’?’
JK Rowling has accused Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart of being ‘exceptionally arrogant’ and of ‘dripping with classism and misogyny’ amid a gender row
Her retort came after Alistair Campbell (pictured with his The Rest is Politics co-host Rory Stewart) said Rowling had refused to come on their show
It comes after the former spin doctor’s daughter, Grace Campbell, sparked fury after she branded those outside the Supreme Court, where it was ruled the term woman in the Equality Act refers to a ‘biological woman and biological sex’, as ‘ugly’.
In an episode from the Late To The Party With Grace Campbell last June, with transgender actor Charlie Craggs, she called the group of campaigners ‘freaks’ and ‘ugly’ with ‘the worst hair and the worst clothes… and the worst views.’
She also said they were ‘not aspirational in any way’ and that she did not ‘want to be in a room with them’.
Meanwhile, her remarks sparked outcry online, with Rowling also responding to the clip, mocking the duo, saying they assumed many would ‘applaud like seals’ in agreement with their comments.
The Harry Potter author openly celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman and has been outspoken about the topic online, often going head-to-head with those who disagree with her views online.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old’s views were also seemingly reiterated by her father on Campbell’s podcast with Stewart called The Rest is Politics.
He criticised the ruling as lacking clarity before bemoaning of several images of women ‘popping champagne corks, pictures of JK Rowling smoking a celebratory cigar’.
Campbell also implied the toxic nature of the debate was one-sided, failing to acknowledge some of the online abuse issued by those who are pro-trans rights.
The author said she wasn’t interested in the opportunity and branded the duo as ‘exceptionally arrogant men whose understanding of the issue drops with classism and misogyny’
It comes after the spin-doctor’s daughter, Grace (pictured in 2026) branded women outisde the court on the day of the Supreme Court ruling as ‘ugly’
Meanwhile, he said his views had been informed ‘by Grace, my daughter, and her friends, almost all of whom found this judgment really quite alarming and dangerous’.
However, For Women Scotland has challenged Stewart and Campbell to invite them on the podcast, saying as of Saturday that they were ‘still waiting’ for a response.
They added that they would ‘take up the offer and tell us we are are “toxic” for the crime of being happy’.
‘Campbell says his views are informed by Grace, so it’s a chance for him to say we are ugly freaks to our faces,’ they said.
It comes after Bridget Phillipson was accused of prioritising her ‘personal ambition’ ahead of upholding guidance on women’s right to single-sex spaces.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner has accused the Women and Equalities Minister of holding back from publishing guidance amid fears it could impact any potential promotion.
The former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR) said delays in releasing the guidance on single sex spaces ‘betrayed’ women.
She described the Government’s lack of action as ‘cowardice’, as the former chief of the human rights watchdog insisted women have a right to expect trans women are banned from single sex spaces.
In her scathing swipe at Labour, she also claimed Sir Keir Starmer had not upheld the legislation on women’s single-sex spaces despite the Prime Minister previously being a lawyer.
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Bridget Phillipson accused of ‘blocking guidance after Supreme Court ruling to protect her career’
Baroness Falkner’s attack is the latest instalment in an intense row over the Government’s failure to publish guidance after the Supreme Court ruled in April that the term woman in the Equality Act refers to a ‘biological woman and biological sex’.
Before departing her role at the head of the EHRC in November, Lady Falkner submitted an updated code to be shared with businesses on managing single-sex spaces to the Education Minister.
However, nearly a year after the Supreme Court ruling, Ms Phillipson has not yet published the updated code despite it being sent for Government sign-off.
Lady Falkner has boiled the delay down to the Education Minister’s ‘ambitious nature’ as she noted recent speculation about Sir Keir’s role as the UK leader and a ‘major reshuffle’ in cabinet.
