Latest news with #pro-indy
Spectator
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
JK Rowling blasts the National as ‘anti-women'
Scotland's self-identifying 'newspaper' is at it again – and this time it has provoked the wrath of renowned writer JK Rowling. The National has chosen to dunk, yet again, on women's rights organisation Sex Matters, dubbing it an 'anti-trans campaign group' which is 'threatening' legal action after it raised concerns about how the Scottish government is – or, more to the point, is not – implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment that backed the biological definition of a woman. But feminist-in-chief Rowling has had enough – and was quick to slam the Nat-obsessed tabloid as 'anti-woman'. Ouch. Taking to Twitter, Rowling defended Sex Matters – which intervened in the For Women Scotland gender case – after remarking scathingly: 'For Women Scotland is a feminist campaigning group. You appear to be an anti-woman newspaper.' And she's not the only one left unimpressed by the pro-indy paper's choice of language. For Women Scotland have waded into the conversation, pondering under Rowling's post: I do wonder if the head of Newsquest is aware that this smear – which lawyers suggested, only last night, amounts to defamation – is routine in the National. Oo er. The separatist bulletin is certainly no stranger to controversy. It fell foul of the Scottish press pack after one of its reporters first wrongly reported that Alba party members had verbally abused First Minister John Swinney inside the cathedral where Alex Salmond's funeral was taking place – before secondly shirking responsibility by claiming that of the journalists there, 'we had all mistaken inside for outside'. Cue a rather miffed response from the Beeb's Scotland editor, who indignantly wrote back that: 'It is not true to say 'we had ALL mistaken inside for outside'. At no point did I hear any jeering inside nor did I hear anyone suggest there was any.' It just goes from bad to worse, eh? And Mr S would remind readers that the secessionist journal managed to rather successfully annoy even its own columnists after it printed an Anglo-bashing splash last year before of the Euros final between England and Spain. Ahead of the match, the newspaper decided to depict a rather large red-faced, bare-chested, tattooed England fan as a football being launched into the air by Spanish midfielder Rodri. 'Time for revenge!' the cover screamed, 'Our message to Spain: Save us from an England win (or we'll never hear the end of it!)'. It prompted one of its own columnists, ex-SNP MP Joanna Cherry, to tweet: 'No. I really don't like this at all' – while SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn slammed the design for its 'xenophobia'. The National's editor eventually rowed back – but it was too little too late… At the time of writing, the piece remains online with its language unchanged. Will the National be forced to U-turn once again, with the help of FWS's little legal reminder? Stay tuned…
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scottish independence activists march through Glasgow as key figures snub event
Read on to discover who wasn't at today's Indy rally FIGHTING ON Scottish independence activists march through Glasgow as key figures snub event Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of activists flocked to Glasgow today for an annual pro-independence rally. One supporter donned a huge top hat adorned with saltires as a sea of blue and white flags flooded the city centre. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Three women are all smiles as they wrap themselves in the Scottish flag Credit: Alamy 3 One happy activist dons a novelty hat adorned with saltires Credit: Alamy The event was snubbed by most elected pro-indy supporters, including John Swinney, Patrick Harvie and Stephen Flynn. Meanwhile others waved Palestine flags and unfurled huge banners calling for a separation from the United Kingdom. Organisers All Under One Banner encouraged members to bring banners, megaphones, flags and pipes to the event. They wrote online: "We are proud to announce that around 5,000 people took to the streets of Glasgow today, marching for Scottish independence, all under one banner. "Well done everyone. A great effort all round and a cracking day for it. "The fight for independence is on. Scotland shall." However the 5,000 attendees number has been disputed with some sources claiming it to closer to 2,000. The event took off from Kelvin Way to Glasgow green and brought a number of roads in the city to a standstill. Scots remain split down the middle on independence but now reckon a UK split will not happen for decades, polling reveals. Some 40 per cent back going it alone while 44 per cent favour staying in the UK. The Yes/No divide was 48/52, excluding undecideds and non-voters, compared to 45/55 in 2014's historic referendum. And More in Common's research for The Scottish Sun on Sunday also revealed voters are now less likely to think independence will happen while they are alive. Around two-thirds of Scots previously predicted the break-up of the UK within 30 years, at the height of Nats' popularity in 2015. But asked last week if Scotland will become independent in their lifetime, 48 per cent said no, while 30 per cent said yes and 22 per cent were unsure.
