JK Rowling has become embroiled in a 'freedom of speech' spat with Pete Wishart MP on Twitter after the SNP MP criticised a journalist’s tweet.
The Harry Potter author asked Mr Wishart 'if trying to intimidate journalists he disliked was SNP policy or a personal vendetta?' after the MP for Perth and North Perthshire tweeted STV about the views of journalist Stephen Daisley.
In his tweet, Mr Daisley, a digital editor at STV, wrote: “In England, people tweet journalists demanding they hold government to account. In Scotland, people tweet journalists demanding they don’t.”
Mr Wishart replied: “Is this your view or just the view of the ‘digital arm’ of the STV family?”
@PeteWishart @STVNews Is trying to intimidate journalists you dislike @theSNP policy or just a vendetta of your own?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 1, 2016
The Harry Potter author responded: “Is trying to intimidate journalists you dislike @theSNP policy or just a vendetta of your own?”
Read more: JK Rowling - there's still anti-English prejudice in the SNP
Ms Rowling also asked the MP if he thought there should be an 'agreed line on matters relating to criticism of the Scottish Government?'.
However, Mr Wishart told Ms Rowling that he just wanted to know if Mr Daisley's tweet represented STV's 'corporate view'.
@PeteWishart "Corporate view" suggests you think there should be an agreed line on matters relating to criticism of the Scottish government?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 1, 2016
@PeteWishart You'll notice I'm not querying your right to speak,but you still haven't answered my question. Does @theSNP agree with you?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 1, 2016
The SNP MP said he almost felt honoured to be ‘reprimanded’ by Ms Rowling on Twitter.
Wow! I've just been reprimanded by J.K Rowling. Almost feel honoured..... https://t.co/hx7bwGhmP3
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) June 1, 2016
It is not the first time that Ms Rowling has been involved in a spat with the SNP on Twitter.
Read more: JK Rowling honored by PEN for literary and humanitarian work
The Harry Potter author threatened to sue Natalie McGarry MP, who no longer had the party whip, over a tweet in January.
Read more: JK Rowling accepts Natalie McGarry apology over Twitter row
The Twitter spat follows a recent meeting between STV representatives and SNP MPs at Westminster when strong concerns were raised by some Nationalist politicians at the tone and content of the broadcaster's digital coverage.
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