Police drop investigation into ‘online threat’ made to JK Rowling
The author shared screenshots of a message from a user who had written ‘don’t worry you are next’ in response to her tweet about Sir Salman Rushdie.
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.A police investigation into an “online threat” to JK Rowling over her support for stabbing victim Sir Salman Rushdie has been dropped.
The Harry Potter author, 57, shared screenshots of a message from a user who wrote “don’t worry you are next” in response to her tweet about Sir Salman last month.
Indian-born British author Sir Salman, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution, 65 miles from Buffalo in New York state, when he was stabbed on August 12.
He has faced years of threats over his book The Satanic Verses, which has been banned in Iran since 1988 as many Muslims view it as blasphemous.
Ms Rowling had said she felt “very sick” after hearing the news and hoped the novelist would “be OK”.
The same Twitter account to have messaged Ms Rowling also posted messages praising the man who carried out the attack.
The tweet, which came from an account in Pakistan, was later removed.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Following a report made to police on Saturday August 13 2022 regarding an online threat, enquiries have been carried out into this matter and it has been established that it was made outwith the UK.
“Enquiries are now complete and there is no further police action at this time.”