![Rishi Sunak took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise David Tennant's comments](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/06/26/TELEMMGLPICT000383417722_17193920164720_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
‘You are the problem’: Sunak hits back at David Tennant in trans row
Doctor Who actor said he wished Kemi Badenoch ‘did not exist any more’ because of her views on women’s rights
![Rishi Sunak took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise David Tennant's comments](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/06/26/TELEMMGLPICT000383417722_17193920164720_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Rishi Sunak has criticised David Tennant, telling the actor “you are the problem” after he said he wished Kemi Badenoch would “shut up” because of her views on women’s rights.
The former Doctor Who star also said he wished the Business Secretary, considered a front-runner in a future Tory leadership contest, “did not exist any more”.
Mrs Badenoch, who has said she wants to ban trans women from women’s lavatories and defend single-sex spaces, accused Tennant of being a “rich, lefty, white male celebrity” who had attacked her even though she was the only black woman in government.
On Wednesday, Mr Sunak wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: “I think in politics, as in life, it’s really important that we are able to robustly disagree with others. I wouldn’t have engaged in the way that he did. I think it’s right that we have these robust discussions, but we must do it respectfully.”
Tennant’s comments came as he collected an accolade for being a celebrity ally at the British LGBT Awards. He was honoured for his support for the trans community.
Writing on X, Mrs Badenoch, who is also the women and equalities minister, responded: “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.”
Mrs Badenoch also criticised Dawn Butler, the Labour candidate for Brent East, who said she agreed with Tennant.
She said: “This is the true face of the Labour Party. Keir Starmer says he doesn’t want a ‘toxic debate’, but he is very happy to have Labour MPs do his dirty work for him and let people know they wish I didn’t exist.
“Labour and their celebrity allies have no interest in stopping the conversion therapy of gay children who are told “you’re not really gay, you’re just a different sex”. Kids are medicalised and sterilised as foolish celebrities and stupid Labour MPs cheer this on in their desperation to look cool.”
In the speech that sparked the row, 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.”
On the British LGBT Awards website, the announcement of the winners described Tennant as “one of the LGBTQ+ community’s most fierce allies and supporters”.
With polling day a little over a week away, gender has become an election battleground, with the Conservatives accusing Labour of putting women’s rights at risk.