David Tennant tells Kemi Badenoch to ‘shut up’ as Rishi Sunak slaps down actor

Rishi Sunak has intervened in a row between Kemi Badenoch and actor David Tennant – and has suggested the Doctor Who star is “the problem”.

Tennant said at an awards show he wanted a world where the Equalities Minister “doesn’t exist any more”. He said he did not “wish ill of her” but that that she should “shut up”. The actor won a prize for being a “celebrity ally” at the British LGBT Awards last week and used his speech to target Ms Badenoch.

The Tory minister hit back at his comments, calling Mr Tennant a “bigot” and criticised him for “attacking the only black woman in government by calling publicly for my existence to end”.

Wading into the row, the Prime Minister 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.”

Ms Badenoch has faced criticism over her approach to trans rights. Mr Tennant 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?

“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.”

Ms Badenoch hit back and 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.”

Labour’s Ms Duffield previously said only women have a cervix. Mr Starmer said the comment was wrong at the time. But he has since said that having a cervix is a “matter of biology” and that Ms Duffield is “of course right about that”.