David Tennant, a former “Doctor Who” actor, sparked controversy recently when he criticized Kemi Badenoch, the U.K.’s Minister for Women and Equalities, during an acceptance speech at the British LGBT Awards.

Tennant, accepting an award for his support of LGBTQ rights, expressed disappointment that advocating for basic rights could be considered worthy of recognition. He then remarked that he hoped for a world where Badenoch, whom he did not wish ill upon but wanted to “shut up,” no longer existed.

Badenoch, in response, accused Tennant of being blinded by ideology and criticized him for prioritizing applause from LGBTQ+ organizations over the safety of women and girls. This ignited a heated exchange, drawing in figures like J.K. Rowling and Martina Navratilova, who defended Badenoch and criticized Tennant for what they perceived as misogyny and male entitlement.

The conflict between Tennant and Badenoch occurred against the backdrop of Britain’s General Election and ongoing debates over gender and sex rights. Badenoch, representing the Conservative Party, has been a vocal advocate for maintaining biological sex as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, a stance that has stirred controversy in the LGBTQ+ community.

British political leaders also weighed in on the controversy, with Prime Minister Rushi Sunak defending freedom of speech while criticizing calls to silence women in politics. Labor leader Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of respectful political discourse, suggesting that Tennant’s comments lacked necessary respect, especially given Badenoch’s historical position as the highest-ranking Black female politician in the UK.

Tennant’s remarks have prompted reflection within British media on the boundaries of political commentary, questioning whether his criticism of Badenoch crossed a line. His outspoken stance against the Conservative Party has drawn attention before, but this incident has particularly highlighted divisions over gender politics and freedom of expression in the UK.