Rishi Sunak has intervened in a heated dispute between Kemi Badenoch and David Tennant over LGBTQ+ rights, appearing to label the actor as "the problem."
David Tennant, the star of Doctor Who, criticized the women and equalities minister, saying he wished she would "shut up" and expressed a hope for a world where she "doesn't exist anymore." In response, Badenoch called him a "bigot."
On Wednesday morning, the prime minister entered the fray, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “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.”
David Tennant poses with the Celebrity Ally award at The British LGBT Awards 2024 in London on Friday
David Tennant poses with the Celebrity Ally award at The British LGBT Awards 2024 in London (Getty Images)
Badenoch, who has spearheaded the Tory election pledge to make biological sex a protected characteristic in the Equality Act (currently, gender reassignment is a protected characteristic), vowed to continue speaking out. She accused Tennant of being a “rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology” in a post on X on Tuesday, following his critical remarks about her at the British LGBT Awards on Friday.
Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch vowed to ‘not shut up’
Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch vowed to ‘not shut up’ (PA Wire)
Home Secretary James Cleverly also joined the debate, urging Tennant to apologize for his remarks. He wrote 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.”
ennant, who received the Celebrity Ally award at the ceremony, was cheered when he said of Badenoch: “I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up.”
Badenoch responded firmly: “I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritize 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. 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.”
The British LGBT Awards described Tennant as “one of the LGBTQ+ community’s most fierce allies and supporters.” In his acceptance speech, he expressed disappointment that advocating for everyone's right to live their lives without harm should merit any special recognition, as it is "common sense" and "human decency."
Home Secretary James Cleverly was among those who waded into the row, calling for Mr Tennant to apologise for his remarks
Home Secretary James Cleverly was among those who waded into the row, calling for Mr Tennant to apologise for his remarks (Getty Images)
Despite his criticism of Badenoch, Tennant emphasized the importance of pride and support for the LGBTQ+ community in his household, stating that events like the British LGBT Awards give him "hope, fire, energy, and deep joy."
Tennant's award was presented alongside honors for other notable figures, including 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).
On the election campaign trail, Badenoch has championed the Conservative pledge to clarify “that sex means biological sex in the Equalities Act,” stating that her party’s proposed legislation would mean that, for the purposes of the Equality Act, the provision in the Gender Recognition Act recognizing legal sex would be disapplied.
The Gender Recognition Act governs the issuance of gender recognition certificates, which allow people who have transitioned to obtain a new birth certificate reflecting their acquired gender.
Rosie Duffield, a Labour MP since 2015, withdrew from the campaign trail due to “constant trolling, spite, and misrepresentation from certain people,” an issue that intensified during the election period. Duffield has expressed “feminist and gender-critical beliefs,” stating that she does not believe “male-bodied people should be included in lists of murdered women.”
0 Comments