'You are the problem!' Rishi Sunak blasts David Tennant in trans row with Kemi Badenoch
Rishi Sunak has intervened in a row between Kemi Badenoch and actor David Tennant, saying the Doctor Who star is "the problem".
Rishi Sunak has declared David Tennant as “the problem” amid a spat between Kemi Badenoch and the actor over women’s rights.
The former Doctor Who star suggested at an awards show that he wanted a world where the Equalities Minister "doesn’t exist anymore" and that she should "shut up".
The Prime Minister intervened yesterday with a statement on X, formerly Twitter, where he 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."
Mr Tennant, 53, won a prize for being a "celebrity ally" at the British LGBT Awards last week and used his speech to target Ms Badenoch.
The Business Secretary wants to ban transgender women from women’s lavatories as part of her pledge to defend single-sex spaces.
While accepting the award, Mr Tennant 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 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.”
READ MORE: Labour candidates blasted over social media posts which slam 'racist' UK [LATEST]
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he "wouldn’t have engaged in the way that he (Tennant) did".
He told broadcasters: "I think in politics, as in life, it’s really important that we are able to robustly disagree with others.
“Obviously, that happens a lot in the general election campaign, but we should do it with respect for everybody involved in that robust discussion.”
But Labour candidate Dawn Butler chimed in on social media yesterday to say that she agreed with Mr Tennant, adding: "Not all Black women think the same."
Ms Badenoch hit back by accusing Sir Keir of using his MPs to do "his dirty work", insisting "this is the true face of the Labour Party".
She has said that she will not "shut up" over the rights of women after Mr Tennant’s comments.
Don't miss... Jeremy Corbyn humiliated as fans blow £6k on a poll saying he'll lose [LATEST]
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.
"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."
Health Secretary Victoria believed Mr Tennant's comments could put Ms Badenoch at risk.
She said: "I find it extraordinary that he thought it appropriate to speak in these terms. He knows, surely, the security risks that we all face in politics."
