Harry Potter author unleashes withering put-down after Ben Maguire attacks her in Commons Pride debate – as women’s rights campaigners rush to her defence
JK Rowling has delivered a devastating riposte to a Liberal Democrat MP who accused her of being “desperate for attention and relevance” – dismissing his attack with one of British politics’ most famous insults.
The Harry Potter author, who has sold more than 600 million books worldwide, mocked shadow attorney general Ben Maguire after he singled her out for criticism during a House of Commons debate marking Pride Month.
Using the immortal words of former Labour Chancellor Denis Healey, Rowling posted on X/Twitter that the MP’s attack was “like being savaged by a dead sheep” – a put-down originally used against Geoffrey Howe in 1978.
The extraordinary exchange has exposed fresh divisions within the Liberal Democrats over trans rights, with women’s rights campaigners rushing to defend the bestselling author against what they called “ludicrous” accusations.
MP’s Commons attack
Speaking in yesterday’s Pride Month debate, Mr Maguire, the MP for North Cornwall, launched a scathing attack on those he claimed had “poisoned the public discourse” on trans issues.
As well as politicians, public figures desperate for attention and relevance such as JK Rowling have poisoned the public discourse with attacks on our trans community,” he told fellow MPs.
The Liberal Democrat shadow attorney general continued: “All under the false dichotomy that it is not possible to be a true feminist and protect women’s rights without attacking and abusing the trans community.
“A phoney culture war which has left trans people fearful just to be themselves.”
Mr Maguire added that the tone of the debate had been “un-British” and more like the United States, “where everything is dealt with in extreme absolutes.”
Rowling’s withering response
But when clips of the MP’s comments began circulating on social media, Rowling was quick to respond with characteristic wit.
In the immortal words of Dennis Healey, it was like being savaged by a dead sheep,” she posted, invoking one of British politics‘ most memorable put-downs.
The phrase, originally used by Labour’s Denis Healey against the mild-mannered Conservative Geoffrey Howe in 1978, has become shorthand for an ineffectual attack that causes no damage to its target.
For Rowling, whose Harry Potter empire has made her one of the world’s most successful authors, the suggestion she needs “attention and relevance” appears particularly wide of the mark.
‘Ludicrous’ accusations
The author’s response prompted an immediate backlash against Mr Maguire from women’s rights campaigners within his own party.
Dr Zoe Hollowood, chair of Liberal Voice for Women – a group of Lib Dem members campaigning for women’s sex-based rights – condemned the MP’s comments as “ludicrous.”
“To accuse JK Rowling of entering this debate to seek attention or relevance is ludicrous,” Dr Hollowood said. “Anyone who has followed this issue knows JK Rowling thought very carefully before entering this debate, knowing full well the vitriol and threats being levelled at women and their families for speaking out.”
She added: “But ultimately, she felt she could not stay silent whilst other women lost jobs for their view that sex is real and matters.”
Death threats and courage
Dr Hollowood highlighted the personal cost Rowling has paid for her stance on women’s rights, noting the author has received “many rape and death threats for her willingness to speak out.
“The fact she has refused to back down, cannot be cancelled, seems to have enraged certain people in particular,” she said, praising Rowling for “using her platform to raise the concerns of women.”
The Liberal Voice for Women chair also pointed to confusion within the Liberal Democrats on trans issues, noting: “Voters will be left confused on where the Lib Dems stand on this issue with Ed Davey taking a moderate stance and other Lib Dem MPs using extreme trans talking points.
Victory lap after court ruling
Rowling’s intervention in the trans debate has made her a lightning rod for controversy in recent years, but she has shown no signs of backing down.
In April, following a Supreme Court ruling that the words ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological women and biological sex, the author posted a celebratory picture of herself holding a drink and puffing a cigar.
She captioned the image: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
The author’s outspokenness has created tensions with some stars from the Harry Potter film series, but has also won her a devoted following among those who share her views on protecting women’s sex-based rights.
Frequent clashes with Starmer
Rowling has become known for her regular interventions on trans rights issues, which have included frequent clashes with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over Labour’s stance on the issue.
Her willingness to use her massive platform – she has over 14 million followers on X/Twitter – to speak out on women’s rights has made her one of the most prominent voices in the debate.
For Mr Maguire to suggest that someone of Rowling’s stature is seeking “attention and relevance” appears to have spectacularly backfired, with the author’s withering response garnering far more attention than his original attack.
Historic put-down
The “dead sheep” quote Rowling invoked has a special place in British political history. Denis Healey, known for his combative style, used it in the House of Commons on 14 June 1978 when responding to criticism from the famously mild-mannered Geoffrey Howe.
“I must say that part of his speech was rather like being savaged by a dead sheep,” Healey told the Commons, creating a phrase that has endured for nearly half a century.
By deploying this classic put-down against Mr Maguire, Rowling has not only dismissed his attack but done so with a cultural reference that underscores her deep roots in British society – hardly the actions of someone “desperate for attention.”
As the trans debate continues to divide political parties and public opinion, one thing seems clear: attempting to diminish JK Rowling’s relevance is about as effective as being savaged by a dead sheep.
