Metro retracts false Holocaust-denial claim about J.K. Rowling

On August 24, a Metro story about the upcoming Harry Potter television series incorrectly described author J.K. Rowling as having “engaged in Holocaust denial.” The correction was prompted after Scottish columnist Euan McColm highlighted the error as “f***ing wild.” Metro’s apology acknowledges the mistake and removes the slur from the piece.

National newspaper apologises to JK Rowling after calling her a 'holocaust denier'

Rowling’s 2024 remarks on X (formerly Twitter) rejected a claim that transgender people were “the first targets” of the Nazis. She called the suggestion that she “upheld Nazi ideology around gender” a “new low” for trans activists. Those comments were later cited by a journalist from Novara Media, who in March 2024 labeled Rowling a “Holocaust denier.” After Rowling threatened legal action, the journalist apologized for the tweet. The Metro article revived the allegation in the context of the Harry Potter series coverage.

National newspaper apologises to JK Rowling after calling her a 'holocaust denier' Unherd

In reality, the organization’s legal action aimed to uphold the definitions of “sex” and “woman” in the Equality Act, arguing that the case concerned the legal status of gender-recognition certificates (GRC) and the definition of sex in UK law, not Scottish law. For Women Scotland responded that the case was not about exclusion and that they had won the ruling handed down on April 16, 2025.

National newspaper apologises to JK Rowling after calling her a 'holocaust denier'

The same Metro article noted that actor Nicholas Hoult had withdrawn from the Harry Potter series. While the official explanation cited scheduling conflicts, many fans speculated that the departure was linked to backlash from trans activists over Rowling’s views. The article’s focus on this speculation contributed to the broader narrative surrounding the series’ production.

National newspaper apologises to JK Rowling after calling her a 'holocaust denier'

Metro’s correction underscores the sensitivity of attributing Holocaust-denial accusations, especially amid heightened concerns about antisemitism in the UK. Rowling’s supporters and feminist groups have reiterated their positions, while the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between trans-rights advocacy and critics of gender-identity policies. No further legal actions have been reported, and the Harry Potter series remains in development.

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