JK Rowling offers to pay for woman prisoner to sue Scottish Government after sex assault claim

JK Rowling has offered to pay for a woman prisoner to sue the Scottish Government after an alleged jail sex assault.

The Harry Potter author has said she will fund a lawsuit for a female inmate allegedly assaulted by a trans woman in a Scottish prison.

Trans inmate Alexandra Stewart, previously known as Alan Baker, is alleged to have carried out a sexual assault on a woman prisoner at HMP Greenock, which houses both men and women.

The incident is said to have taken place within the jail’s hairdressing salon.

Police have arrested 38-year-old Stewart, who transitioned after imprisonment, and a report will be sent to procurator fiscal for a decision over whether or not to take forward a criminal charge.

The news comes in the midst of a court challenge against Scottish Prison Service guidance for the housing of transgender inmates.

Campaign group For Women Scotland, challenging the rules, claim they are incompatible with the Supreme Court ruling in the landmark case which established that ‘sex’ in the Equality Act refers to biology, not gender.

The decision is opposed by trans rights campaigners and underlines that it is lawful to exclude transgender people from spaces or services aimed at persons of the opposite sex, such as rape crisis centres or hospital wards.

Current prisons guidance states that a transgender woman “will not be eligible to be considered for admission or transfer” to the women’s estate following a conviction for offences such as murder, rape and assault.

However, the policy allows for an exception to be made if there is “compelling evidence” that the prisoner does not “present an unacceptable risk of harm to those in the women’s prison”.

The Scottish Government argues that operating a blanket rule on the matter “would violate the rights of some prisoners”.

Author Rowling operates the JK Rowling Women’s Fund (JKRWF), which is described as a “legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights”.

She said she will make that available to the woman allegedly assaulted in HMP Greenock, and claimed the Scottish Government is culpable for any harm caused.

Rowling said: “The Scottish Government is responsible for this sexual assault. The Supreme Court has confirmed women’s right to single sex spaces, a ruling the SNP continues to flout. If the victim wishes to sue, [JKRWF] can assist with all costs.”

The Scottish Prison Service said it would be “inappropriate to comment” on the allegation “as this matter is subject to proceedings”.

Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland spokesman said: “A 38-year-old prisoner has been arrested and charged in connection with a sexual assault within HMP Greenock.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

The Scottish Government was contacted for comment.