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

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

Tennant took aim at Kemi Badenoch, the British minister for women and equalities, last week as she accepted an award at the British LGBT Awards for being a celebrity ally. Badenoch, a Conservative Party leader, has been criticized for her past comments on sex and gender.

“To be honest, I’m a little depressed that recognizing that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their lives the way they want as long as they’re not hurting anyone should deserve some kind of special award or special mention, because it’s common sense, right?” Tennant said as he accepted 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 silenced,” she wrote. “I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause for (UK LGBTQ+ charity) Stonewall over the safety of women and girls. A white, wealthy, left-wing male celebrity so blinded by ideology that he can’t see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by publicly calling for my life to end.”

“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling, who has ardently 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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Author JK Rowling arrives at the RFK Ripple of Hope Awards at the New York Hilton Midtown on December 12, 2019 in New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

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 vulnerable people, it’s not about stopping transgender people from having 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 feature of our democracy,” Sunak said on X. “If you tell women to shut up and wish they didn’t exist, you are the problem.”

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Meanwhile, Home Secretary James Cleverly called on Tennant to apologise, pointing to 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 really important that we are able to strongly disagree with others,” Starmer said. “Obviously this happens a lot during a general election campaign, but we have to do it with respect for everyone involved in this intense discussion. I wouldn’t have engaged in the same way he did. I think it’s right that we have these robust discussions, but we have to do it respectfully.

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Keir Starmer, leader of Britain’s Labor Party, speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain, November 15, 2023. (British Parliament/Maria Unger/Handout)

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

“The actor has long been critical of 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.