JK Rowling’s ex-PA used writer’s money to buy chocolate and shortbread

A former personal assistant to JK Rowling has been accused of “ridiculous” spending on the author’s credit card.

In a civil case, it is alleged Amanda Donaldson wrongly benefited from the credit card and by taking Harry Potter merchandise worth a total value of almost £24,000.

Under cross-examination, Ms Donaldson said all the spending was personal or business-related to Ms Rowling.

The author is pursuing damages in the case at Airdrie Sheriff Court which has been brought under her married name Joanne Murray.

Ms Donaldson, 35, was suspended and later dismissed in 2017 over the allegations.

Ms Rowling’s lawyer Kirsteen MacDonald queried transactions made by the former PA at gift shop Paper Tiger totalling more than £2,000.

Referring to one receipt showing the purchase of five chocolate bars and a Harris Tweed purse, Ms Donaldson told the court they were bought as a gift for a contact to “maintain Mrs Murray’s business relationship”.

Ms MacDonald said: “That is a strange combination (of purchases). It is ridiculous to suggest that’s what you would send to a business contact of Mrs Murray.

“Is it not the case here that you have again been caught out and this purchase was for you?”

The witness said: “Absolutely not.”

The former PA was also asked about the purchase of Halloween cards from Paper Tiger as well as chocolate letters spelling I,L and Y.

Ms Donaldson said they were bought for an ill child on behalf of Ms Rowling.

Ms MacDonald said: “I put it to you the letters stand for ‘I love you’ and were bought for you to give someone you were in a relationship with, or for your own child.”

Ms Donaldson denied the claim and said: “I recall the purchase as a whole but I don’t recall the particular letters.”

Another receipt from Marks & Spencer was also shown to the witness which included the purchase of a tin of shortbread.

Ms Donaldson said they were bought as a gift for staff at the Savoy Hotel in London when Ms Rowling had stayed.

The author’s lawyer asked if it was an appropriate gift for an upmarket hotel.

Ms Donaldson said: “They really appreciated it.”

Previously giving evidence in her defence, Ms Donaldson said she was never given specific instructions for the use of the company credit card and that her boss was often unapproachable and not to be disturbed while writing.

Ms Rowling has said she “does not accept” the claims made in court by her former personal assistant and took the unusual step of issuing a statement during the case.

The author said she had been left with no option but to raise the court action.

A statement issued on behalf of the author said: “Ms Rowling does not accept the position as stated by Amanda Donaldson in her evidence, and does not find that she has adequately explained her excessive spending on the business credit card or the missing items and cash.

“Before raising the court action, Ms Rowling and her husband gave Ms Donaldson every opportunity to explain the discrepancies in her credit card spending and the missing items and cash, but Ms Donaldson chose to deny any wrongdoing and instead to blame other members of Ms Rowling’s staff.

“During her evidence Ms Rowling explained to the court that she was left with no option but to raise the court action, in order to protect the reputation of her existing staff, and to ensure Ms Donaldson is not in the position to breach the trust of another employer.”

The civil case before Sheriff Derek O’Carroll continues.