JK Rowling said she is 'proud' to call Kathleen Stock her friend after the gender-critical academic's high-profile talk at the Oxford Union yesterday evening (May 30). 

The Harry Potter author, who has frequently expressed her views on transgender issues, heralded professor Stock as 'brave and brilliant' in a social media post.

It followed a highly-anticipated talk by the feminist professor at the Union's debating chamber about gender identity and self-identification. 

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Hundreds of protestors descended on St Michael’s Street to protest against her views, which some perceive as trans-exclusionary.

The debate was interupted when protestor Riz Possnett glued their hand to the floor and had to be removed by police. 

Following the debate, Mrs Rowling said: I’m so proud to call the brave and brilliant @Docstockk a friend."

The author has previously expressed fear for her family’s safety because of her views on transgender issues.