Angela Rayner fought back tears as she opened the Labour Party Conference today - before taking a swing at gender-critical wannabe Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over her trans rights row with ex-Dr Who David Tennant.
The Deputy Prime Minister was emotional as she kick-stated the event in Liverpool, the first with her party in government since 2009.
But as well as setting out Labours plans for government, including a slew of new rights for workers, she also had a dig at Ms Badenoch, who is seen as the favorite to become new Tory leader.
In June the then Tory women and equalities minister branded Mr Tennant a bigot for using an LGBT award win to say he wished she did not exist and she should shut up.
Referencing the row, and Mr Tennants former role as the eccentric Timelord, Ms Rayner joked: It was bad enough when they had to deal with Nigel Farage (at the election), now she is doing side-deals with the Daleks.
The Deputy Prime Minister was emotional as she kick-stated the event in Liverpool, the first with her party in government since 2009.
But as well as setting out Labours plans for government, including a slew of new rights for workers, she also had a dig at Ms Badenoch, who is seen as the favorite to become new Tory leader .
In June the then Tory women and equalities minister branded Mr Tennant a bigot for using an LGBT award win to say he wished she did not exist and she should shut up.
Referencing the row Ms Rayner joked: It was bad enough when they had to deal with Nigel Farage (at the election), now she is doing side-deals with the Daleks.
Mr Tennant played Dr Who, whose arch enemies are the Daleks, between 2005 and 2010.
Picking up an award for celebrity trans ally in June he told a cheering audience: I dont wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up.
It prompted the belligerent Tory to reply in a stinging tirade on X, vowing: 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 cant see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by calling publicly for my existence to end.
Tennant is one of Labours celebrity supporters. This is an early example of what life will be like if they win.
Addressing the row this morning, a jubilant Ms Rayner joked about the ongoing Tory leadership campaign, which Ms Badenoch is in.
Next week they will gather in the wreckage of their defeat. Reduced to 10-minute auditions for wannabee leaders, beating each other to different shades of blue. On a show that no-one is watching, she told the audience in Liverpool.
Perhaps that’s why Kemi launched her leadership campaign with an attack on Doctor Who.
It was bad enough when they wanted to deal with Farage. Now she’s doing side deals with the Daleks.
But Conference, at least after three months as shadow housing secretary, she finally expressed concern about a tenant. Its just a pity it was David Tennant.
The Deputy Prime Minister is already facing questions over a five-night New Year stay in a £2million apartment owned by Lord Alli. Now it has emerged that married Sam Tarry flew out to join her for the festive stay in the 56th floor Manhattan apartment, with a gym, jacuzzi and pool.
He paid for his own flights but shared the accommodation paid for by the Labour peer (pictured), who is at the centre of a row over donations he made to Sir Keir and Victoria Starmer for clothes, the Sunday Times reported.
It came as Ms Rayner faced fresh questions over a freebie holiday to New York paid for by a Labour donor after it emerged that her ex-boyfriend joined her in the Big Apple.
The Deputy Prime Minister is already facing questions over a five-night New Year stay in a £2million apartment owned by Lord Alli.
Now it has emerged that married Sam Tarry flew out to join her for the festive stay in the 56th floor Manhattan apartment, with a gym, jacuzzi and pool.
The leftwinger, who was sacked as a junior minister for supporting rail strikes, was MP for Ilford South at the time, but was deselected ahead of the July election.
He paid for his own flights but shared the accommodation paid for by the Labour peer, who is at the centre of a row over donations he made to Sir Keir and Victoria Starmer for clothes, the Sunday Times reported.
This morning Ms Rayner insisted that she had not broken any rules over what she said had been a private holiday. She said Lord Alli was a friend as well as a donor but she declared the break in any case because he was also a donor.
She told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: I dont believe I broke any rules.
I had the use of the apartment and I disclosed that I had the use of the apartment.
In fact, I think I was overly transparent because I think it was important despite it being a personal holiday because that person, as a friend, had already donated to me in the past for my deputy leadership.