JK Rowling has been branded a "national treasure" by the candidates hoping to become the next SNP leader despite her criticism of Nicola Sturgeon.
During a live debate on Sky News last night, Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan were asked for their views on the best-selling children's author.
Rowling made headlines last year when she shared an image of herself wearing a t-shirt with the slogan "Nicola Sturgeon destroyer of women's rights".
The multi-millionaire writer has been a persistent critic of the Scottish Government's gender recognition reforms.
The candidates vying to replace Sturgeon were asked last night whether the Harry Potter author was a national treasure.
Humza Yousaf said: "Yes, I think she’s done amazing in terms of the books she’s written. But I do disagree with her vehemently on the issue of transgender rights."
Forbes agreed she was a national treasure and added: "I do think she’s brave." Forbes also said “I don’t disagree with her" when quizzed on her gender self-ID criticisms.
Ash Regan also said Rowling was "brave" to speak out on the "legitimate" concerns.
Sturgeon last year described herself as a "real feminist" when asked about Rowling's attack.
Speaking before the SNP conference in Aberdeen, the First Minister was asked if she is a destroyer of women’s rights.
She said: "No, I’ve spent my entire life campaigning for women’s rights and I’m a passionate feminist with lots of evidence behind that.
"I respect people’s views on this – people are entitled to express their views however they wish.”
She added: "There are many, many real threats out there to women right now, from attacks – physical attacks, attacks of sexual violence to the removal of abortion and reproductive rights – women in countries like Iran are going through.
“There are no shortage of attacks on women that feminists, real feminists, as I consider myself to be, should be focusing on right now."
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