Scottish duo The Proclaimers have launched a fierce defence of JK Rowling, taking aim at the Harry Potter franchise’s leading actors for failing to stand by the author amid the ongoing gender debate.
Charlie Reid did not hold back when discussing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, stating: “Those f***ing bairns who Rowling made massive fortunes for…
“It was not necessary that each of them stood up and agreed with her, but you would have thought someone would stand up and say, ‘We live in a free country. Thank goodness we have freedom of speech!'”
Speaking to The Telegraph, he added: “She is exercising her point of view. I do not necessarily support it, but I support her right to say something. I don’t remember any of them saying that.”
JK Rowling remains an executive producer on the HBO Harry Potter adaptation amid continued controversy surrounding her views on transgender issues
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PAMs Rowling has attracted significant criticism in recent years over her position that biological sex is fundamental to safeguarding women’s safety and preserving single-sex spaces.
Ms Watson addressed the rift during an appearance on the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty, insisting her advocacy for trans rights should not be interpreted as a rejection of the author.
“I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with,” she said.
Ms Rowling hit back sharply: “I wasn’t a multimillionaire at 14. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous.”
Charlie Reid did not hold back when discussing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
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The author maintained she never expected Ms Watson, Mr Radcliffe or Mr Grint to share her views, acknowledging they “have every right to embrace gender identity ideology”.
The 64-year-old Edinburgh-born twins, best known for their anthem I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), revealed they have abandoned their lifelong backing of the SNP, declaring that the political left is “losing their mind.”
Craig Reid pointed to Nicola Sturgeon’s 2022 Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which would have simplified the process of legally changing gender,— as the breaking point.
The legislation was ultimately vetoed by the Conservative government.
Charlie Reid made his thoughts clear on the three Harry Potter stars
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He branded Sturgeon’s backing of gender self-identification “unforgivable,” claiming it resulted in “violent men, including convicted rapists, being sent to women’s prisons.”
Craig also argued that gender critical women face being “shouted down” by those who believe wearing a dress and make-up makes them female.
Charlie, meanwhile, labelled trans rights campaigners “truth-phobic,” but insisted he harbours no prejudice against trans individuals.
“I’m not against a man identifying as a woman, dressing as a woman… All I’m against is saying that he actually is a woman when he’s not a woman,” he said.
The brothers were speaking ahead of the release of their 13th studio record, You May Offend, which is expected to tackle the right to express contentious opinions, including on gender.
On other matters, the pair remained firmly aligned with their progressive roots.
They branded Donald Trump a “moron,” criticised the “ignoring of international law,” and accused organisations such as army cadets of “grooming” young people into military service.