Former “Doctor Who” actor David Tennant has told a senior British government official to “shut up” during a speech about LGBTQ rights, adding that he wishes for a world in which she “doesn’t exist.”
While accepting an award for celebrity advocacy at the UK LGBT Awards last week, Tennant criticised Kemi Badenoch, the UK minister for women and equalities. Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative party, has come under fire for past comments she has made about sex and gender.
“Honestly, it’s kind of disappointing that acknowledging that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their life how they want as long as it’s not hurting anyone else should be something that deserves a special award or a special prize, but that it’s just common sense,” Tennant said upon receiving the award.
“But until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch is no more, I don’t wish her ill, I just ask her to stay silent. It’s an honour to receive this while we live in this world,” he added.
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Last week, Tennant criticised UK Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch while accepting the celebrity advocate award at the UK LGBT Awards. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Badenoch replied: Regarding X, the actor accused him of being “blinded” by his ideology.
“I will not be silent,” she wrote. “I will not be silent. [British LGBTQ+ charity] It undermines the safety of women and girls. Rich, left-wing, white, male celebrities are so ideologically blinded that they cannot see the perspective of attacking the only black woman in our government and publicly calling for an end to my existence.”
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, a vocal supporter of women’s rights and opponent of the transgender movement, reposted the minister’s message.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also criticised Tennant, writing, “Wow. Misogyny in full swing!!! Here you guys are a perfect example of male entitlement… blah blah blah.”
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Author J.K. Rowling arrives at the RFK Ripple of Hope Awards ceremony held at the New York Hilton Midtown on December 12, 2019 in New York City. (Dia Dipaspil/Getty Images)
The controversy comes just days before the UK general election, in which the Conservative party recently pledged to make biological sex a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Gender change is currently protected.
“This is about protecting vulnerable people and not preventing transgender people from having privacy and dignity,” Badenoch said of the pledge in an interview with British talk radio station LBC earlier this month. The Telegraph reported..
Tennant’s comments infuriated members of Parliament from both parties.
British Chancellor Luci Sunak also spoke out about the clashes.
“Freedom of speech is the strongest feature of our democracy,” Sunak said on X. “If you call on women to shut up and wish women didn’t exist, then you have a problem with yourself.”
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Meanwhile, Home Secretary James Cleverley pointed to Mr Badenoch’s historic appointment and called on Mr Tennant to apologise.
“I’m not sure David understands the irony of trying to silence the voice of the UK’s longest-serving black female politician in the name of ‘defending’ minority communities,” Cleverley wrote to X.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested more respect should be shown to the Scottish actor.
“I think it’s really important to have strong differences of opinion with other people, in politics and in life,” Starmer said. “Of course, that happens a lot in a general election, but we should do so with respect to all those involved in that lively debate. I wouldn’t have engaged in the way that he did. I think it’s right to have a lively debate, but it needs to be done respectfully.”
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Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on November 15, 2023 in London, UK. (British Parliament/Maria Unger/Handout)
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This is not Tennant’s first foray into politics, but his recent comments have raised questions in the British media about whether he has gone too far.
“The actor has long been a critic of the Conservative party but have his recent comments about Kemi Badenoch gone too far?” The Telegraph wrote on Wednesday.
Tennant and Badenoch did not respond to requests for comment.
