'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.

“If I'm 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 to, as long as they don't hurt anyone, should deserve some kind of special recognition, an award or a special mention, because it's common sense, right?” Tennant said as he accepted his award.

“However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch no longer exists, I don't wish her harm, I just wish she would keep quiet while we live in this world, I am honored to receive this “, he added.

ACTRESSES HAVE AVOIDED CONTROVERSIAL PLAYS THAT ARE ATTACKS ON JK ROWLING'S POSITION ON GENDER

Badenoch replied 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 favor applause [British LGBTQ+ charity] “He is obstructing the safety of women and girls. A rich, left-wing, white, famous man so blinded by ideology that he sees no point in attacking the only black woman in government by publicly calling for my life to end.”

“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 at its height!!! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the perfect example of male entitlement, oh my God! »

JK Rowling sets conditions for meeting with Labor Party on protecting women's spaces

The row comes just days before the UK general election. The Conservatives recently made an election pledge to make biological sex a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Gender reassignment is currently protected.

“This is about protecting vulnerable people, it’s not about preventing 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 of the party.

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.”

DOCTOR WHO ACTRESS SLAMS FASCIST CANCEL CULTURE

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 oldest black female politician in UK history, in the name of defending a minority community,” he said. writes 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're able to disagree strongly with others,” Starmer said. “Obviously that happens a lot in a general election campaign, but we have to do it with respect for everyone involved in those hard discussions. I wouldn't have engaged in the way he did. I think it's right that we have those hard discussions,” he added. “But we have to do it with respect.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE MEDIA AND CULTURE COVERAGE

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

This is not the first time Tennant has waded into the political arena, but his recent comments have led some in the British media to wonder 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.