Butlin's blasted by JK Rowling after guards threw trans women out loo

JK Rowling has blasted Butlin's for suspending security guards after they forcibly ejected a group of transgender women from the ladies' lavatories at one of its holiday camps.

Security staff at the camp have been accused of 'violently' dragging five trans women from the single-sex loos during a music event at Butlin's Skegness last week.

Bosses at the seaside resort took the guards off duty following complaints against them - with Butlin's later issuing an apology, insisting it was an 'inclusive business'.

But the company's reaction has sparked a fierce debate online, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling, 59, slamming the holiday firm and demanding it clarified its stance on women-only spaces. 

In a furious broadside on X, the trans-critical fantasy author wrote: 'Does Butlins think the desire of cross-dressing men to enter women-only spaces is more important than women's and girls' right to privacy and dignity?

'Hopefully Butlins will explain their policy, so women and families can make an informed choice about where to go on holiday.'

The incident took place on Saturday. October 5, during the Bang Face Festival, which was hosted at the holiday camp. 

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Jae Roberts, one of the transgender women who claims to have been forcibly removed, took to Instagram after the altercation. 

She said: 'Butlins security just dragged five trans people out of the women's toilets. Got slammed against a wall and dragged downstairs for intervening.' 

Ms Roberts claimed the group was told by a security guard to leave the toilet - which then sparked protests from women there who chanted 'let them pee'. 

She said that the guard then left and returned with 'reinforcements', supported by 10 of his colleagues, who then began to remove the transgender women from the loo.  

Ms Roberts told MixMag she was 'lifted from the ground, dragged down a flight of stairs and chucked out the door'.

The guards were later accused of 'transphobia' before Butlins removed some of them from duties. 

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Taking to social media, Ms Roberts later added she had met with organisers of Bang Face and the 'head of security' from Butlins. 

She claimed the two 'most aggravating' security guards had been 'removed' from the festival staff on Sunday and that an investigation had now been launched. 

It's understood the guards were part of an external security firm brought in to provide additional security for the festival. 

A spokesperson from Butlins told MailOnline: 'As an inclusive business we were very concerned to hear about this incident.

'Much to our disappointment, our third-party security contractor did not follow our processes despite being thoroughly briefed.

'Once we were made aware they were immediately removed from duty for not handling the situation in line with our processes.

'We are in direct contact with those involved and are reviewing how we work with contractors.'

In a statement, Bang Face told MixMag it was 'greatly saddened' to hears of the incident 'involving Butlin's third party security company'.

Festival organisers insisted Bang Face has always been a 'safe space for ravers' and that it was 'working with those involved' to assist in making a 'positive change'.   

MailOnline has approached Lincolnshire Police for comment.