RISHI Sunak has torn into Doctor Who star David Tennant over his attack on Kemi Badenoch.
The Prime Minister told the actor he is “the problem” after his extraordinary outburst at an LGBTQ+ awards bash.
Labour-backing Mr Tennant said he hoped the Cabinet minister would “not exist” because of her trans rights views. And went on to say she should “shut up”.
Mr Sunak waded into the row on X, saying: “Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy.
“If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem.”
Minister for Equalities Ms Badenoch accused Tennant of being a “rich, lefty, white male celebrity blinded by ideology”.
Receiving an ally gong at the British LGBT Awards on Friday night, the Scottish actor said he was “a little depressed that acknowledging everyone has the right to be who they want to be . . . should merit any special award”.
He went on: “However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn’t exist anymore . . .
“I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up.”
But Ms Badenoch — who wants to ban trans women from women’s toilets and sports teams in order to protect women — responded on X: “I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls.
“A rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology he can’t see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by calling for my existence to end.”
She added: “Tennant is one of Labour’s celebrity supporters. This is an early example of what life will be like if they win.
“Keir Starmer stood by while Rosie Duffield was hounded. He and his supporters will do the same with the country. Don’t let the bigots and bullies win.”
Her comment referred to Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s blast at Sir Keir for abandoning women concerned with gender ideology, including his own MP Rosie.
It comes amid a war of words in the General Election over gender policies.
Tories claim Sir Keir Starmer will “dilute women’s rights” by introducing self-ID “by the back door”.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has accused her opponents of wanting to “eradicate” women from the British language.
Sir Keir has insisted they will not introduce self-identification and will protect women’s spaces.
