JK Rowling says Labor let down rowdy trans MP Rosie Duffield

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JK Rowling has accused Labor of not supporting MP Rosie Duffield, who says she has been "coldly received" by the party over her views on transgender issues.< /p>< p>Ms Duffield likened being in the party to an abusive relationship she had been in after being criticized for her stance on women's rights in the trans self-identification debate.

The row escalated after it emerged a spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer suggested Ms Duffield's constituents wanted the MP for Canterbury 'to spend a bit more time ' in his constituency rather than 'hanging out with JK Rowling'.

A recording of Labor communications director Matthew Doyle's comments were posted on the Guido Fawkes website on Monday.

< p>In response, Ms Rowling tweeted: "Rosie Duffield, a former assistant teacher, m single era and survivor of domestic violence, won the Labor seat they thought was unwinnable."

The Harry Potter author added: "After Corbyn she kind of sent back to parliament with an increased majority. This is how the Labor Party reimburses her.

The best-selling children's author hosted an event in London in the spring for women's rights activists, with Ms Duffield among the attendees.

Ms Duffield also defended his constituency work on Twitter and denounced Mr Doyle's reported remarks. "When women are seen as difficult these statements are obviously meant to undermine us," she tweeted.

"Sowing a little seed of doubt, rumors, 'if she spends time in his constituency'... who could catch. Politics is mean. But think about it, I'm used to so much worse.'

It is understood that the Labor aide in question said he respected Ms Duffield's right to speak out on trans issues.

During Last week's debate on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill - opposed by Ms Duffield and Mrs Rowling - the Labor MP had to raise her voice to be heard...