JK Rowling says Labour has let down trans row MP Rosie Duffield

JK Rowling has accused Labour of failing to support MP Rosie Duffield, who claims to have been cold shouldered by the party over her views on transgender issues.

Ms Duffield compared being in the party to an abusive relationship she had been in after she faced criticism for her stance on womens rights in the transself-identification debate.

The row intensified after it emerged that a spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer suggested Ms Duffields constituents wanted the Canterbury MP to spend a bit more time in her constituency rather than hanging out withJKRowling.

A recording of the comments by Labours director of communications Matthew Doyle were published by the Guido Fawkes website on Monday.

Responding, Ms Rowling tweeted: Rosie Duffield, an ex-assistant teacher, single motherand survivor of domestic abuse, won Labour a seat they thought was unwinnable.

The Harry Potter author added: Post-Corbyn, she was returned to parliament with an increased majority. This is how Labour repays her.

The best-selling childrens author organised an event in London in the spring for womens rights campaigners, with Ms Duffield among the attendees.