Writers’ union figure quits as gender inquiry ‘undermined’

A SOCIETY of Authors official has quit after claiming the union is undermining gender-critical writers’ complaints.

Tim Tate sat on the management committee of the UK’S largest writers’ trade union, which has been divided by a row over gender ideology, and he was tasked with investigating complaints made about the leadership.

Mr Tate resigned after claiming his work in processing complaints against Joanne Harris, the society’s chairman, and Nicola Solomon, its chief executive, was “impeded by attempts to undermine its impartiality and integrity”.

The resignation comes amid a row at the writers’ union whose leadership has faced a revolt after being accused of not defending the free speech of gender-critical members, including by the Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

Mr Tate said of his attempt to deal with official complaints made by members: “The formal investigation into complaints lodged against Joanne Harris, Nicola Solomon and the SOA [Society of Authors] seems to have been impeded by attempts to undermine its impartiality and integrity.”

Some members of the union have raised concerns that under the leadership of Harris, best known for her 1999 novel, Chocolat, the union has failed to defend those who are sceptical about gender ideology, a term referring to the view that self-identified gender takes precedence over biological sex.

Some sceptical members made a failed attempt to oust Harris in an AGM vote last week, and it is understood that official complaints were filed by authors concerned about the alleged failure to protect free speech.

Mr Tate’s resignation letter claims that fellow members of the 12-strong management committee – which is headed by Harris – had sent an email about these complaints which “effectively pre-judged and denigrated the merits (or otherwise) of the issues being raised by complainants”.

His letter states his work on a subcommittee handling complaints was suspended and handed over to lawyers, then never restarted amid internal “chaos”, an outcome which has left him with “fears for the integrity of the SOA”.

Concerns about the Soa’s approach to free speech were first raised when in 2021 Kate Clanchy was criticised for depictions of ethnic minority figures in her book Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me. The SOA has been contacted for comment.