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Society of Authors official quits, claiming it is undermining complaints of gender-critical writers
Some members of the writers' union have also raised concerns that it has failed to defend those who are sceptical about gender ideology
A Society of Authors official has quit after claiming the union is undermining the complaints of gender-critical writers.
Tim Tate sat on the management committee of the UK’s largest writers' union, which has been divided by a row over gender ideology, and he was tasked with investigating complaints made about the organisation's leadership.
Mr Tate has now resigned after claiming his work processing complaints against Society chair Joanne Harris and chief executive Nicola Soloman was “impeded by attempts to undermine its impartiality and integrity”.
The resignation comes amid a deepening row at the writers’ union, whose leadership has faced an internal revolt after being accused of not defending the free speech of gender-critical members, including by 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 Soloman and the SoA (Society of Authors) seems to have been impeded by attempts to undermine its impartiality and integrity.”
Disagreements over gender ideology
Some members of the Society have raised concerns that under the leadership of Chocolat author Harris 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 Society 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 that “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 that has left him with “fears for the integrity of the SoA”.
Previous concerns
Concerns about the Society of Authors' approach to free speech were first raised when in 2021, teacher and writer Kate Clanchy was criticised for depictions of ethnic minority figures in her book Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, which prompted then Society president Sir Philip Pullman to defend her.
Sir Philip soon resigned after being criticised by Society members for this public defence.
Another row erupted when the society of Authors was accused of not defending Harry Potter author Rowling, who was facing criticism online for voicing views critical of gender ideology.
The Society has been contacted for comment.