Sunak wades into Badenoch row with actor Tennant

Rishi Sunak has intervened in a row between Kemi Badenoch and actor David Tennant, saying the Doctor Who star is "the problem".

Tennant suggested at the British LGBT Awards last week that he wanted a world where the equalities minister "doesn't exist any more", and said she should "shut up".

The prime minister posted on X that freedom of speech was the "most powerful feature of our democracy", adding: "If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters he "wouldn't have engaged the way he (Tennant) did," adding that "robust" discussions should be respectful.

Trans rights campaigners have criticised Ms Badenoch's views on gender.

Tennant won a prize for being a "celebrity ally" at the awards show and used his speech to criticise Equalities Minister Mrs Badenoch.

In his acceptance speech he said: "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":[]}