Streeting reports surge in homophobic abuse since becoming Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said he has received more homophobic abuse in the three weeks since his appointment than at any previous point in his life, according to multiple outlets reporting on remarks he made at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Speaking to broadcaster Iain Dale, Streeting said the volume of abuse was "unbelievable" and attributed it to hostility toward the idea of a gay man leading the UK's armed forces. He is reported to be the first openly gay person appointed to the role, following Andy Burnham's elevation to prime minister last month.
The remarks carry historical context: homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, but an outright ban on gay personnel serving in the armed forces remained in place until 2000. Streeting's appointment therefore represents a significant first for both the ministry and for openly LGBT representation at Cabinet level in a defence role.
Streeting noted, according to HuffPost UK, that his sexuality had been "almost entirely unremarked upon" in mainstream media coverage of his appointment, and indicated he viewed that as broadly positive. No formal response from opposition parties appears in the material provided. Coverage has been largely consistent across outlets, with no conflicting accounts of what was said. What, if any, action the government intends to take in response to the abuse has not been reported in the available material.
Key facts
- Wes Streeting said he has received more homophobic abuse in the three weeks since his appointment as Defence Secretary than in his entire life previously. source
- Streeting made the remarks in an interview with Iain Dale at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. source
- He is reported to be the first openly gay man appointed as Defence Secretary, following Andy Burnham becoming prime minister. source
- Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967, but a ban on gay personnel in the armed forces remained until 2000. source
- Streeting said his sexuality had been almost entirely unremarked upon in media coverage since his appointment. source
Sources
Each outlet's own headline, quoted, beside the link to it — and our one-line reading of the angle it takes.
- The Independent C-LEFT27 Aug, 14:29
Wes Streeting says people ‘cannot cope’ with gay man leading UK armed forces
The Independent focuses on Streeting's framing of public intolerance, treating his appointment's historic significance as context for the abuse he describes.
- Daily Mirror C-LEFT27 Aug, 08:22
Wes Streeting says he faces 'unbelievable' amount of homophobic abuse as Defence Secretary
The Mirror centres its coverage on the volume and nature of the abuse itself, emphasising Streeting's characterisation of it as unbelievable in scale.
- HuffPost UK C-LEFT27 Aug, 07:23
Wes Streeting Says 'People Cannot Cope' With Gay Man Leading Britain's Armed Forces
HuffPost leads on Streeting's own words about public attitudes, foregrounding his assertion that critics struggle to accept a gay person in command of the military.
- BBC News CENTRE26 Aug, 22:21
Wes Streeting deluged with homophobic hate mail since becoming defence secretary
The BBC frames the story with historical context around the armed forces' treatment of LGBT personnel, placing Streeting's experience against the long arc from decriminalisation to the lifting of the military ban.
Original synthesis from the sources above. The Order Paper writes its own headlines and summaries and does not republish source text. Headlines in the source list are each publisher’s own, quoted as a citation beside a link to their reporting. Contested claims are attributed to their reporters.