The removal of a JK Rowling poster in an Edinburgh train station has sparked hundreds of complaints.
A poster outside Edinburgh Waverley Station, which read "I love JK Rowling" and cost £1200 to display, was removed by Network Rail in July for being too "political".
Erected by Kellie-Jay Keen, the feminist blogger, has campaigned against the reform of gender recognition laws and said the billboard was a celebration of JK Rowling standing up for women.
While the poster did not receive any complaints, Network Rail said it was removed because it violated its “code of acceptance” which “does not allow advertising that is likely to support or promote one view point over another”.
However, the travel operator has now been hit with hundreds of complaints for removing the poster, reports the Daily Record.
The internal Network Rail emails revealing chief executive Andrew Haines was inundated with emails
One said: “This situation has worsened as the chairman’s office has been inundated with emails complaining about the removal!
“Can you speak to [REDACTED] (if you haven’t already) and especially as this has now reached the chairman?”
Another read: “For awareness – Andrew Haines is getting sent hundreds of emails about a controversial ad saying we shouldn’t have removed it.
“The ad refers to loving JK Rowling and was paid for by a gender campaigner. It is clearly an antagonistic move given JK Rowling's recent comments in the press about gender and trans people.”
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Clearly, the words used on the poster in question were not at all political.
“However, it was removed because it was paid for by a gender recognition reform group and our advertising code states we will not display anything that supports a political viewpoint, policy or action, or that promotes one viewpoint over another.”
