Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

J.K. Rowling responds perfectly to Mail Online headline referencing judges's sexuality after Brexit High Court ruling

The government has already said it will appeal the High Court's ruling that the Prime Minister must get parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50

Olivia Blair
Friday 04 November 2016 10:30 GMT
Comments
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

J.K. Rowling has mocked the Mail Online for running an angry headline about one of the High Court judges who ruled that Theresa May must seek parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50 and the UK leaves the European Union being "openly gay".

A number of Brexit-backing newspapers reacted predictably to the ruling and Friday’s front pages displayed headlines ranging from The Telegraph’s “The judges versus the people” to The Sun’s: “Who do EU think you are?” and The Daily Express’ rallying cry: “We must get out of the EU”.

The Daily Mail dedicated its front page to attacking the three judges who are behind the ruling, branding them “Enemies of the State”.

The Mail Online also introduced the three men to its readers under the following headline: “The judges who blocked Brexit: One founded a EUROPEAN law group, another charged the taxpayer millions for advice and the third is an openly gay ex-Olympic fencer”.

But, as Rowling pointed out, if the fact that you are gay and a former Olympian is the worst they can say then you must be doing something right.

Others reacted furiously, questioning why the publication thought necessary to use the Master of the Rolls, and thus the second most senior judge in England and Wales, Sir Terence Etherton’s sexuality as a “slur”.

Sir Terence qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow as part of the British Sabre team. The 65-year-old became the first gay man to be a senior judge when he was sworn in as Lord Justice of Appeal in 2008.

It is understood the outlet later changed their headline by removing the reference to Sir Terence’s sexuality.

Landmark Brexit Ruling: What happened and what happens next?

Representatives from The Mail did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in