‘Doctor Who’ actor says he wishes women’s minister ‘didn’t exist’ during LGBTQ rights speech

Former “Doctor Who” actor David Tennant has told a senior British minister to “shut up” during a speech on LGBTQ rights, adding that he hoped for a world in which she “didn’t exist”.

Last week, Tennant targeted Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s minister for women and equalities, as she accepted an award at the British LGBT Awards for her celebrity support. Badenoch, a Conservative Party leader, has been heavily criticized for her past comments on sex and gender.

“To be honest, I’m a little depressed by the fact that recognizing that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their life as they choose as long as they don’t harm anyone should be worthy of a kind of special prize or special mention, because it’s common sense, right? said Tennant while accepting his award.

“However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch is no more – I don’t wish her harm, I just wish her to shut up – as long as we live in this world, I’m honoured to receive this,” he added.

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Badenoch responded on X, accusing the actor of being “blinded” by his ideology.

“I will not be silent,” she wrote. “I will not allow myself to be silenced by men who prioritize applauding (British LGBTQ+ charity) Stonewall over the safety of women and girls. A white, rich, left-wing male celebrity, so blinded by ideology that he does not see the point of attacking the only black woman in government by publicly calling for the end of my existence.

“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling, who has supported women’s rights and spoken out against the trans movement, reposted the minister’s message.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also took aim at Tennant, writing: “Wow. Misogyny is in full force!!! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the perfect example of male entitlement… Oh my God…”

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This row comes days before the British general election. The Conservatives recently promised during their election campaign to make biological sex a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Sex change is currently protected.

“It’s about protecting those who are vulnerable, it’s not about stopping trans people from enjoying their privacy and dignity,” Badenoch said of the commitment in an interview with LBC, a British radio station earlier this month, The Telegraph reported.

Tennant’s remarks outraged British lawmakers on both sides.

British Prime Minister Rushi Sunak has spoken out on the clash.

“Freedom of speech is the most powerful element of our democracy,” Sunak said on X. “If you call on women to be silent and wish they didn’t exist, you are the problem.”

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Meanwhile, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, called on Tennant to apologise, highlighting Badenoch’s historic appointment.

“I’m not sure David understands the irony of trying to silence the voice of the longest-serving black politician in UK history, in the name of ‘defending’ a minority community.” , wrote Cleverly on X.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the Scottish actor to be more respectful.

“I think in politics, as in life, it’s very important that we are able to disagree openly with others,” Starmer said. “Obviously, that happens a lot in the general election campaign, but we have to do it with respect for everyone who is engaged in that heated discussion. I wouldn’t have engaged in the way he did. I think it’s right that we have these heated discussions, but we have to do it with respect.”

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This is not the first time Tennant has waded into the political arena, but his recent comments have some British media outlets wondering whether he has gone too far.

“The actor has long criticized the Conservative Party, but have his recent comments about Kemi Badenoch crossed the line?” The Telegraph wrote on Wednesday.

Tennant and Badenoch did not respond to requests for comment.