A Scottish charity has found itself at the centre of a row after offensive language was used to lambast Harry Potter author JK Rowling because of her stance on Scottish independence.

A Scottish charity was plunged into a Twitter storm after it appeared to send an offensive tweet lambasting Harry Potter author JK Rowling over her stance on independence.

The multi-millionaire waded into the referendum debate on Wednesday, pledging £1million to the pro-union Better Together campaign.

A comment like that is a disgrace to the Yes cause and to the cause of social justice

However, hours after the news was announced, someone using the Twitter account of the Dignity Project tweeted: “What a #bitch after we gave her shelter in our city when she was a single mum”.

The comment was also reproduced on the charity’s Facebook page, but later removed.

William McDonald Wood, Dignity Project chairman, was unavailable for comment.

The project – which is based in Corstorphine, Edinburgh and is registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator – claims to conduct child education projects in Africa.

The comment was immediately condemned.

Pro-independence Green MSP Patrick Harvie tweeted: “A comment like that is a disgrace to the Yes cause and to the cause of social justice.”

A statement on the charity's website later claimed its Twitter account had been hacked.

It stated: "We are not responsible for any tweets that have been sent. As a charity we do not take any political stance and our opinion is people are free to donate to whoever they choose.

"To the people who hacked our account - if helping African children to thrive and survive including single mums is bad thing that is their problem."