Dugdale has issued an apology for her comments <a class="break-all" href="https://archive.is/o/7bLGw/www.stonewall.org.uk/news/statement-from-kezia-dugdale-and-ayla-holdom?ref=ed_direct" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">through Stonewall.
A statement on the charity’s website reads: “In my first interview as incoming Chair of Stonewall, I was asked a question about JK Rowling. In answering, I should have been absolutely unequivocal that I would never condone behaviour from anyone that seeks to or causes harm to anyone in our community.
“That is a red line for me and should be for all of us. I understand the interview has caused worry, anger and upset and I am truly sorry about that.
“In a world that is increasingly polarised and in which trans people have been under continuous attack for the last decade or more, I was excited to be appointed Chair of Stonewall. I applied for the role because Stonewall works for the whole LGBTQ+ community. I would not have applied or have wanted to lead a charity that was not inclusive of the whole community because my feminism is and has always been trans inclusive.”
Full article https://www.thenational.scot/news/26048648.new-stonewall-chair-kezia-dugdale-sorry-respects-jk-rowling/
And https://archive.is/7bLGw
Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/19/things-could-go-backwards-kezia-dugdale-on-safety-lgbtq-rights-and-the-future-of-stonewall which led to comments like this:
Good Law Project director Jolyon Maugham called the comments “madness”, alleging that Rowling was a “toxic sewer of hate” and that it is “unforgivable for Stonewall to praise her”.
The Causeway Pride group, based in Portrush, said they would not “have any involvement with [Stonewall] while Dugdale is at the helm”, adding: “Trans rights are not up for debate.”