Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has condemned homophobic attacks on Wes Streeting since he was appointed Defence Secretary.
Ilford North MP Mr Streeting has said he has been targeted with an “unbelievable volume” of homophobia online since taking on the defence role, which he was given by Andy Burnham in July.
“I have experienced more online homophobia in the last three weeks than I have in my entire life,” he told LBC’s All Talk podcast hosted by Iain Dale.
“Unbelievable volume – because people cannot cope with the idea that a gay person might lead the armed forces of the United Kingdom.”
Abbott hits out at 'ignorant' attacks
Ms Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1983, posted on X: “I disagree with Wes Streeting on political fundamentals - a lot.
“But attacking him for his sexuality is ignorant, prejudiced and unacceptable.”
Ms Abbott, the first black woman elected to the Commons and now the Mother of the House as the female MP with the longest continuous service, is on the Labour Left, while Mr Streeting is on the Right of the party.
From military ban to Defence Secretary
Between 1967 and 2000, gay people were banned from the army, navy, and air force. Members of the armed forces suspected of being gay were subjected to brutal interrogation and bullying, and forced out of service, often with long-term impacts on their life and careers.
Mr Streeting, who served as Health Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer before resigning in May, contrasted the online abuse he has received with the broader response to his appointment.
“Being the first openly gay Defence Secretary has been almost entirely unremarked upon in the media,” he explained.
“And I think, ‘Great, here we are in the third decade of the 21st century and it doesn’t matter, brilliant.’
“But of course, online it matters to a lot of people.
“And I am proud of the fact that in my lifetime we’ve gone from gay people not being able to serve in the military to a gay Defence Secretary.”
Redress scheme deadline approaches
LGBT+ ex-servicemen and women who suffered historical mistreatment have until December 12 to apply for a financial redress scheme, set up nearly two years ago, and have been urged to come forward.
Sir Keir’s government established the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, through which members of the armed forces who were dismissed or discharged because of the previous ban on gay people in the military can apply for payments of up to £70,000. MPs have urged the Government to speed up the financial payouts.
