AN Oxfordshire MP has been put on the spot by JK Rowling after being asked what her definition of women is.
Speaking to Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour back in 2022, Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds struggled to define what a woman is, in light of listeners’ concerns about the push to change the term’s meaning.
Ms Dodds claimed there were 'different definitions legally around what a woman actually is', listing 'the biological definition, legal definition' and 'all kinds of things'.
READ MORE: Man admits to 20 counts of sexual abuse against young boys
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the famous Harry Potter author criticised the Labour MP's response.
She said: "Like a lot of people who'd very much like change and also believe women's rights must be protected, I'd love to know how Labour defines 'woman' in the context of a general election."
.@AnnelieseDodds Like a lot of people who'd very much like change and also believe women's rights must be protected, I'd love to know how Labour defines 'woman' in the context of a general election. pic.twitter.com/typii3Ge01
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 24, 2024
The 58-year-old has frequently faced criticism for her views on transgender rights.
READ MORE: Man jailed for attacking his own mother tells judge: "I'm sorry"
The author first spoke out about her views in December 2019, when she spoke openly in support of researcher Maya Forstater, a visiting fellow at the Centre for Global Development, whose contract was not renewed after she made several anti-trans posts on social media.
She continued to discuss gender issues and trans rights on social media since then, even reportedly donating £70,000 to an anti-trans group's long-running battle over the legal definition of the word ‘woman’.
Ms Dodds has yet to respond.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel