Sunak wades into trans row between Kemi Badenoch and David Tennant after Dr Who star told minister to 'shut up'

26 June 2024, 08:51 | Updated: 26 June 2024, 09:48

Rishi Sunak has waded into the trans row
Rishi Sunak has waded into the trans row. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Rishi Sunak has waded into a war of words between Kemi Badenoch and David Tennant after the Dr Who actor told the equalities minister to "shut up" in a trans rights row.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister told Mr Tennant that he was "the problem" for telling Ms Badenoch he wished she "didn't exist" at an awards ceremony.

The Dr Who star, who was named Celebrity Ally at the British LGBT awards on Friday, said of the Conservative Cabinet minister: "I don't wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up."

Ms Badenoch accused him in turn of being a "rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology"

She said: "I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls.

"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.

David Tennant
David Tennant. Picture: Getty

"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."

Tennant is "one of the LGBTQ+ community's most fierce allies and supporters", according to the British LGBT Awards, and "often does red-carpet interviews while wearing pins associated with the community, with one particular Doctor Who-themed Tardis badge, designed in the colours of the Trans Pride flag, helping to raise thousands of pounds for charities".

He said in his acceptance speech: "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?

Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch. Picture: Getty

"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 any more - 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.

"I am thrilled to be here and to be a part of this night - Pride is very important in our house, it's a family affair, we have skin in the game, so this event tonight thrills me.

"It gives me hope, it gives me fire, it gives me energy and deep joy, and even if I feel I don't really deserve this, I'm very pleased and very proud to be receiving it."

Tennant won his award alongside Soft Cell's Marc Almond (Lifetime Achievement prize), Strictly Come Dancing's Bruno Tonioli (Broadcaster, Journalist or Host), Rylan Clark (LGBT+ Celebrity), trans campaigner Charlie Craggs (Online Influencer) and former England forward Lianne Sanderson (Sports Personality).

Kemi Badenoch on people 'pretending to be trans'

Rishi Sunak backed Ms Badenoch, saying: "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."

Home Secretary James Cleverly called for Tennant to apologise for his remarks, writing on X: "I'm not sure David understands the irony of trying to silence the voice of the most senior black female politician in the UK's history, in the name of 'defending' a minority community."

However Labour MP Dawn Butler defended Tennant. She said: "Not all Black women think the same. I agree with David Tennant."

On the General Election campaign trail, Ms Badenoch has fronted the Conservatives' pledge to clarify "that sex means biological sex in the Equalities Act", writing in The Times that her party's proposed legislation "will mean that for the purposes of the Equality Act, the provision in the Gender Recognition Act recognising legal sex will be disapplied".

The Gender Recognition Act is the law which governs gender recognition certificates, which entitle people who have transitioned to a new birth certificate reflecting their acquired gender.

Kemi Badenoch joins Nick Ferrari: Watch again

Rosie Duffield, who became a Labour MP in 2015, withdrew because of "constant trolling, spite and misrepresentation from certain people - having built up over a number of years and being pursued with a new vigour during this election".

Ms Duffield has previously said she has "feminist and gender-critical beliefs" and that she believes "male-bodied people should not be included in lists of murdered women".

When asked about the Conservatives' proposals earlier in June, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper accused the Conservatives of "a cynical distraction from the litany of Conservative failures to try and once again stoke up a phoney culture war".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts

One of two assassination attempts made towards the former President was carried out in Pennsylvania

Trump says he would not 'mind' if journalists were shot at Pennsylvania rally

A 10-year-old girl who was mauled to death by her family's dog had a 'close, loving relationship' with the pet that killed her, police have said.

'Devastated' family pay tribute to 'wonderful' 10-year-old girl mauled to death by pet dog

Trump has been fixated on crowd sizes throughout this election cycle

Trump's latest crowd size brag backfires as camera pans to reveal sea of empty seats

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Tuition fees are set to rise with inflation

Government set to increase university tuition fees for first time in eight years

Kris Finney has been missing since Thursday

British man missing in Tenerife not seen for three days as Foreign Office issues statement

A 'severed head' was discovered in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Partygoers mistook severed head for Halloween prank after 74-year-old man 'decapitated' in 'tragic' Edinburgh incident

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Police have launched an appeal to find missing artist Sarah Cunningham after she vanished in the early hours of Saturday in Camden.

Police searching for missing artist Sarah Cunningham find body on tracks