JK Rowling accuses Labour of abandoning women over trans rights

Rowling also accused Sir Keir Starmer of offering no support to Rosie Duffield over the threats and abuse she has received “some of which has originated from within the Labour Party itself”.

Last week, Ms Duffield, who is standing for re-election in Canterbury, said she had not attended election hustings due to “constant trolling” and has spent £2,000 on bodyguards while campaigning.

Labour peer Lord Cashman was suspended from the Labour Party in Parliament by Sir Keir after calling Ms Duffield “frit or lazy” for withdrawing from the events, in a social media post.

The former EastEnders actor and Labour MEP apologised “unreservedly” for the post.

Earlier this month, an internet troll who posted online messages threatening to kill Ms Rowling and Ms Duffield was given suspended jail sentences.

Glenn Mullen, 31, of Clyde Road, Manchester, admitted uploading audio clips in Gaelic threatening to kill Ms Rowling “with a big hammer” and said he was “going to see Rosie Duffield at the bar with a big gun”, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

The full list of candidates standing in Canterbury is:

Luke Buchanan-Hodgman, Social Democratic Party

Rosie Duffield, Labour

Louise Harvey-Quirke, Conservative

Bridget Porter, Reform UK

Henry Stanton, Green Party

Russ Timpson, Liberal Democrats