Harry Potter author JK Rowling has accused a Scottish council of honouring the death of a violent trans prisoner.
Rowling lashed out at Edinburgh City Council after they flew the transgender flag above the City Chambers to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The only Scottish person on the official list of those being commemorated was Tiffany Scott, previously known as Andrew Burns, who was one of the UK’s most violent inmates before the 32-year-old’s death in February.
Scott was convicted of a series of dangerous offences, including serious violence against women and the stalking of a 13-year-old girl.
The prisoner had been deemed an “unmanageable risk to public safety,” and continued the violent spree in prison, biting prison nurses and officers, smearing excrement in a cell and ripping up “tear-proof” clothing in a suicide attempt.
The criminal was serving an indefinite sentence under an order for lifelong restriction and was said to be one of the most threatening people in the prison system.
Scott came out as trans in 2016, but did not go under any physical transitioning and did not possess a gender recognition certificate.
Despite the inmate’s convictions for serious violence against women, it was reported that a move to a women’s prison had been approved.
However this was stopped following the public outcry over trans rapist Isla Bryson being sent to a female prison.
In a post on X, JK Rowling quoted Edinburgh Council’s tweet about Trans Remembrance Day and wrote: “Really looking forward to the day a flag is flown for Scottish victims of femicide, but sure, let’s hear the list of trans people who’ve been murdered in Scotland. Ever.”
In response to a comment from feminist campaign group, For Women Scotland, which stated that the only Scottish person on the list was Scott, Rowling replied: “You have to be f*****g kidding me.”
Further questions were raised regarding Scott’s inclusion on the list, considering the criminal’s death was not reported to be linked to transphobia.
Scott died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after becoming unwell in February.
Marion Calder of For Women Scotland echoed Rowlings views, and said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous for Edinburgh Council to raise this flag. It’s virtue signalling for one of the most dangerous prisoners that Scotland has ever had.”
A city council spokesman said: “We’re extremely proud to be one of the friendliest and most diverse cities in the world. Everyone is welcome to make Edinburgh their home and to live their lives with dignity and free from prejudice.”
The spokesman added that the flag has been flown annually since 2019 above the City Chambers to remember those who have lost their lives to transgender violence.
