HARRY Potter author JK Rowling has praised "brave" Joanna Cherry and revealed she admires the MP following private discussions between the two, despite opposing views on Scottish independence.

Rowling's comments came after a social media user suggested she would reject Cherry's support because of their conflicting views on the Union.

The author donated £1 million to the No campaign ahead of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 and is an outspoken Unionist.

She yesterday hit out at a tweet directed at her in which a social media user wrote: "I wish you a very nice pipebomb in mailbox."

Rowling hit back: "To be fair, when you can’t get a woman sacked, arrested or dropped by her publisher, and cancelling her only made her book sales go up, there’s really only one place to go.

"Hundreds of trans activists have threatened to beat, rape, assassinate and bomb me I’ve realised that this movement poses no risk to women whatsoever.

"Got to get back to my chapter now, but to all the people sending me beautiful, kind, funny and supportive messages, thank you so much . Wish I had time to answer all of you, but Strike and Robin are at a tricky stage of their investigation, so I need to drop a few clues."

That sparked a message of support from SNP MP Cherry, with both women opposed to bids to reform the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland.

Cherry tweeted: "Proud to stand with JK Rowling in defending #WomensRights. She’s right that the escalation from harassment of women who speak up to trying to get them sacked or criminalised to threats of violence is common. It’s time more people with power called this out."

After another Twitter user suggested Rowling would not stand with the MP due to her view on Scottish independence, the Unionist revealed private discussions between the two.

Rowling wrote: "You’re wrong! I stand 100% with Joanna on this, as she already knows, because we’ve had private chats about it. She’s been incredibly brave in standing up for women in such a hostile climate and Joanna knows how much I admire her for it."

Cherry replied: "Thank you JK Rowling. We may disagree on Scotland’s constitutional future but we know how to disagree respectfully & we are 100% in agreement on the importance of defending #WomensRights & #FreeSpeech. I’m proud to stand with you. #WomenWontWheesht