A Sky News reporter was banned from asking a Harry Potter actor about the absence of its creator J.K. Rowling.
The journalist was interviewing Tom Felton – who played Draco Malfoy in the films – at the 25th anniversary event of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book.
Reporter Claire Gregory said to Tom: “And you're sort of, you're still, you and the others stars of the film, still very much the face of the franchise if you like.
READ MORE: JK Rowling 'snub' as Harry Potter author mentioned 10 times in 20th-anniversary special
“We speak and hear from you guys. JK obviously has sort of more of a back seat now. Is it strange for her not to be around at things like this?”
Tom, 34, just stared blankly while a nearby publicist steamed in with: “Next question please.”
Claire then awkwardly laughed “okay”.
Rowling faced accusations of transphobia after mocking a tweet that referred to “people who menstruate” rather than women.
The billionaire author also said she believes that biological women are entitled to single-sex spaces.
But Rowling, 56, also said: "Every trans person's rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them."
However, she still faced online abuse accusing her of transphobia and certain actors in the Hary Potter franchise – whose careers she effectively launched – have distanced themselves from her.
After being asked why the line of questioning was cut short, Tom Felton's team said: “JK Rowling is not connected to Warner or Tom Felton, the team felt it was not relevant to the piece.”
Sky News also issued a statement after the interview blasting the censorship.
It read: “PRs don't and shouldn't – for all sorts of reasons not least press freedom – dictate Sky News editorial direction.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
READ NEXT:
JK Rowling dropped by performing arts school over her view on transgender rights
JK Rowling slammed for 'gross' new book about cross-dressing serial killer
Piers Morgan slams Harry Potter stars for ditching JK Rowling when she 'made them rich'
Source: Read Full Article
