JK Rowling's former PA tells court she was a generous but 'unapproachable' employer

JK Rowling was a generous but “unapproachable” boss, according to her former personal assistant who has been accused of using a business credit card for personal spending sprees.

The author is suing Amanda Donaldson in a civil action, claiming she wrongly benefited to the tune of nearly £24,000.

She claims Ms Donaldson, 35, spent over £3,600 on Molton Brown products, £2,100 in the card shop Paper Tiger and more than £1,800 in Starbucks and Costa coffee shops.

Ms Rowling’s husband, Dr Neil Murray, told Airdrie Sheriff Court earlier this month that Ms Donaldson was a “good liar” who was employed to organise his wife’s business and professional affairs. He claimed she wrongly benefited from the company credit card and “stole” Harry Potter merchandise meant for sick children.

Ms Donaldson told the court on Tuesday that the Harry Potter author "could be really generous" and bought her a replacement pushchair when her child's original was damaged.

But she also said she was never given specific instructions for the use of the credit card, adding that Ms Rowling was often "busy writing and you had to respect that".

She added: "The job was quite tense so I wouldn’t say she was approachable because she would be writing and I was advised not to disturb her.

“People in the office would sometimes ask if she was in a good mood, in a terrified way.

“She would be writing so it was important to respect her time. I made a diary entry incorrectly once and got the telling off of my life so I knew how serious things would be.

“You couldn’t run everything by her. Everything I did was made with the business in mind to uphold relationships with clients and agents.”

The PA said her boss had asked her to buy cards and gift wrapping that she got from Paper Tiger and claimed thousands of pounds spent on cakes and coffees were for business meetings and staff birthdays.

Ms Donaldson said the purchases in Molton Brown were for the office and claimed she was told not to disturb the author when she was busy so she had to make her own spending decisions.

"It was my understanding I would make the decision and would tell her after what I had done. I was never told otherwise," Ms Donaldson said.

Questioned on how she responded to the fraud allegations, the 35-year-old added: "I really respected my role and would never have dreamed of doing anything like that. I'm quite offended and hurt.”

The case continues.