Jacob Rees-Mogg has launched a blistering attack on David Tennant, branding him a “dreadful little man”.
The former Conservative MP was speaking on GB News about the ex-Doctor Who actor telling Kemi Badenoch to “shut up”.
Tennant was accepting an award at the British LGBT Awards in June before launching into a rant about the former Equalities Minister, saying: “I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up”.
Jacob told Steve Edginton that the comments were “atrocious” and Tennant should be “ashamed” of his behaviour.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has hit out at the Doctor Who star
GB NEWS / PA
“This dreadful little man who is, I believe, a comedian of some sort”, he said before being told that the 53-year-old is an actor.
“I think what he said about her was atrocious. He said she shouldn’t exist. That is beyond the fair remit of political criticism.
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“She was absolutely entitled to be quite fierce in response to him. His behaviour is deeply shameful.
“If he were a conservative saying this about a socialist, he would be deplatformed. I’m not in favour of deplatforming, but like Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, he would have had his bowler hat punched through and his umbrella torn up for what he had to say.”
Badenoch has drawn ire from the trans community in the past with an instance in June seeing her pledge to change the Equality Act to rewrite the definition of sex.
The changes also would have allowed organisations to bar transgender women from single-sex spaces, including hospital wards and sports events.
Jacob Rees-Mogg spoke to Steve Edginton on GB News
GB NEWS
The ex-Equalities Minister hit back at Tennant’s comments at the time, saying: “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 publicly for my existence to end.
“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.
David Tennant was scathing in his criticism of Kemi Badenoch
PA“Do not let the bigots and bullies win.”
Tennant said in his acceptance speech: “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?
“It is human decency. We shouldn’t live in a world where that is worth remarking on.
“However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn’t exist any more – I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up – whilst we do live in this world, I am honoured to receive this.
“I am thrilled to be here and to be a part of this night – Pride is very important in our house, it’s a family affair, we have skin in the game, so this event tonight thrills me.
“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.”