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Scotland police to investigate online abuse of JK Rowling Scotland police to investigate online abuse of JK Rowling
(about 3 hours later)
Police in Scotland are considering a complaint of online crime targeting author JK Rowling, it has been reported.Police in Scotland are considering a complaint of online crime targeting author JK Rowling, it has been reported.
The Harry Potter author was the subject of abusive comments on social media last week after stating her support for a no vote in the Scottish independence referendum.The Harry Potter author was the subject of abusive comments on social media last week after stating her support for a no vote in the Scottish independence referendum.
Police are now examining a report of online crime relating to Rowling, the BBC said.Police are now examining a report of online crime relating to Rowling, the BBC said.
A spokesman said this evening: "Police Scotland will consider any complaint about online abuse seriously and will investigate as appropriate."A spokesman said this evening: "Police Scotland will consider any complaint about online abuse seriously and will investigate as appropriate."
Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, revealed on Wednesday that she had recently donated £1m to the Better Together Campaign. Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, revealed on Wednesday that she had recently donated £1m to the Better Together Campaign. Writing on her website, the author voiced concerns about the economic risks of independence and the future of medical research.
Writing on her website, the author voiced concerns about the economic risks of independence and the future of medical research.
The Scottish police investigation came as a Labour peer said new laws should be introduced to protect people from the kind of online abuse suffered by Rowling. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a former Scottish MP and minister, asked justice minister Lord Faulks at question time in the House of Lords: "Are you aware of the vile, personal internet abuse heaped on supporters of the union in Scotland including JK Rowling the author merely for giving £1m toward Better Together? Will you condemn this?" Foulkes also asked whether some legislation could be introduced "to protect all of us who suffer such attacks".The Scottish police investigation came as a Labour peer said new laws should be introduced to protect people from the kind of online abuse suffered by Rowling. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a former Scottish MP and minister, asked justice minister Lord Faulks at question time in the House of Lords: "Are you aware of the vile, personal internet abuse heaped on supporters of the union in Scotland including JK Rowling the author merely for giving £1m toward Better Together? Will you condemn this?" Foulkes also asked whether some legislation could be introduced "to protect all of us who suffer such attacks".
Faulks told him: "I do deplore what has been said about those who have a particular viewpoint – it is the enemy of democracy that the internet should be used in this way.Faulks told him: "I do deplore what has been said about those who have a particular viewpoint – it is the enemy of democracy that the internet should be used in this way.
"We should nevertheless be hesitant before we prevent access to the internet. Russia, China, some of the Arab states prevent access to the internet. Once you start preventing access to the internet you prevent some of the advantages you get economically and otherwise form this extraordinary phenomenon now 25 years old.""We should nevertheless be hesitant before we prevent access to the internet. Russia, China, some of the Arab states prevent access to the internet. Once you start preventing access to the internet you prevent some of the advantages you get economically and otherwise form this extraordinary phenomenon now 25 years old."