JK Rowling has publicly praised Kemi Badenoch as the only UK political leader showing "unequivocal solidarity to women," as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to respond

to a landmark Supreme Court ruling on gender.

The Harry Potter author described it as "astounding" that Badenoch, the Equalities Minister, is alone among political leaders in vocally supporting women's rights campaigners following the court's decision that men who change gender are not legally considered women.

Badenoch recently condemned threats made against campaigners after the ruling, which has significant implications for how organizations and public bodies interpret single-sex spaces and rights under the Equality Act.

While the Government has welcomed the judgment, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak—who has just returned from holiday—has yet to comment directly. Starmer, frequently criticized for ambiguity on gender issues, is now under growing pressure to address the matter when Parliament resumes after Easter.

Rowling shared Badenoch’s message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where the minister highlighted protest signs featuring violent threats, including one reading “kill JK Rowling.”

“A mob of trans activists waving death threats at women isn't protest—it's criminal incitement,” Badenoch wrote. “If the law isn't enforced, we don't have equality, we have two-tier justice. It's time for Labour to stop siding with extremists and start standing up for women.”

Rowling responded: “I knew what I was getting into when I entered this debate, and compared to what others have suffered, I’ve got off lightly. Even so, it continues to astound me that Kemi Badenoch remains the only UK political leader offering unequivocal solidarity to women defending their rights.”

The court ruling has sparked tension within political circles. Culture minister Sir Chris Bryant was among those criticizing Baroness Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), who said the ruling means trans women should not be allowed in single-sex female spaces or women’s sports. In a leaked WhatsApp conversation, Bryant agreed with another MP who called Falkner’s comments “pretty appalling.”

Despite this internal debate, Downing Street has declined to discipline ministers over their remarks, asserting that their discussions are not intended to undermine the ruling.

Marion Calder, co-founder of For Women Scotland, which brought the case to court, criticized the government’s muted response: “It’s astonishing to see ministers talking about how to get around the ruling instead of ensuring departments follow the law. The Prime Minister’s silence is disappointing.”

Helen Joyce of the human rights group Sex Matters, which provided evidence in the case, warned of the stakes: “If neither the Prime Minister nor the Equalities Secretary make a statement when Parliament returns, something is seriously wrong.”

As the debate intensifies, all eyes are now on Starmer and Sunak to clarify their positions and give direction on implementing the ruling. Photo by Amanda Hatfield from Park Ridge, NJ, USA, Wikimedia commons.