DAVID Tennant has been attacked by Tory Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch after he said she should “shut up” about LGBT+ rights.
Badenoch, a vocal opponent of trans rights who has claimed it is “harmful” to teach that people can be born into a body which does not match their mind, was singled out by the Doctor Who actor as he accepted an award.
Speaking at the British LGBT Awards, Tennant said: “I attract the ire of the occasional online idiot – but I don't have social media, so I have to be told about that by my brilliant wife, Georgia, who is the real engine behind anything we do.
“She educates me about empathy and understanding and she has been a huge educator for me.
David Tennant at the British LGBT Awards where he was presented with LGBT+ Celebrity Ally award ❤ :) #DavidTennanthttps://t.co/WYSf6n8Q0S pic.twitter.com/UKafhcNFPG
— FuckYeahGoodOmens (@FYeahGoodOmens) June 25, 2024
“But I think I suppose 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?”
As the crowd cheered, he went on: “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 anymore …”
As the crowd cheered he added: “I don't wish ill of her. I just wish her to shut up.”
Responding on social media, Badenoch 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.”
In 2023, Tennant said the Tories were “all the same team of f***wits” after Rishi Sunak tried to distance himself from Liz Truss.
