RISHI Sunak has intervened after Scottish actor David Tennant clashed with Kemi Badenoch as he said she should “shut up” about LGBT+ rights.
The Prime Minister has suggested the Doctor Who star is “the problem” after Tennant won a prize for being a “celebrity ally” at the British LGBT Awards.
Badenoch, who has previously claimed it is “harmful” to teach that people can be born into a body which does not match their mind, was singled out during the actor’s acceptance speech.
David Tennant at the British LGBT Awards where he was presented with LGBT+ Celebrity Ally award ❤ :) #DavidTennanthttps://t.co/WYSf6n8Q0S pic.twitter.com/UKafhcNFPG
— FuckYeahGoodOmens (@FYeahGoodOmens) June 25, 2024
He said: “If I’m honest I’m a little depressed by the fact that acknowledging that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their life how they want to live it as long as they’re not hurting anyone else should merit any kind of special award or special mention, because it’s common sense, isn’t it?
“It is human decency. We shouldn’t live in a world where that is worth remarking on.
“However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn’t exist anymore – I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up – whilst we do live in this world, I am honoured to receive this.”
Asked what he made of the comments, Sunak said: “Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy.
“If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem.”
Badenoch (below) has hit back at Tennant and said she won’t “shut up” or be “silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls”.
She added: “A rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology he can’t see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by calling publicly for my existence to end.
“Tennant is one of Labour’s celebrity supporters. This is an early example of what life will be like if they win.
“Keir Starmer stood by while Rosie Duffield was hounded. He and his supporters will do the same with the country.
“Do not let the bigots and bullies win.”
