Rishi Sunak brands David Tennant ‘the problem’ in trans rights row with Kemi Badenoch

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem.” open image in gallery David Tennant poses with the Celebrity Ally award at The British LGBT Awards 2024 in London on Friday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he “wouldn’t have engaged in the way” Mr Tennant did, telling broadcasters: “I think in politics, as in life, it’s really important that we are able to robustly disagree with others. Home Secretary James Cleverly was also among those who interjected in the row, calling for Mr Tennant to apologise for his remarks, as he wrote on X: “I’m not sure David understands the irony of trying to silence the voice of the most senior Black female politician in the UK’s history, in the name of ‘defending’ a minority community.” open image in gallery Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch vowed to ‘not shut up’ Mr Tennant, who won Celebrity Ally at the ceremony, received cheers and applause when he said of the Conservative Cabinet minister: “I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up.” Ms Badenoch hit back, saying: “I will not shut up. “Do not let the bigots and bullies win.” Mr Tennant is “one of the LGBTQ+ community’s most fierce allies and supporters”, according to the British LGBT Awards, and “often does red-carpet interviews while wearing pins associated with the community, with one particular Doctor Who-themed Tardis badge, designed in the colours of the Trans Pride flag, helping to raise thousands of pounds for charities”. “It gives me hope, it gives me fire, it gives me energy and deep joy, and even if I feel I don’t really deserve this, I’m very pleased and very proud to be receiving it.” Mr Tennant won his award alongside Soft Cell’s Marc Almond, Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, Rylan Clark, trans campaigner Charlie Craggs and former England forward Lianne Sanderson.