Wes Streeting says he has faced an “unbelievable volume” of online homophobia since becoming Defence Secretary three weeks ago. He said the abuse, largely absent from mainstream media coverage of his appointment, reflects hostility towards having a gay man in the role, but added that he intends to use the post to challenge persistent stereotypes.

Streeting highlighted the change from previous restrictions on gay military personnel: homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967, but service members could still be dismissed for being gay until 2000. He said his appointment had particular significance for LGBTQ+ staff at the Ministry of Defence, while also confirming he chose not to contest the Labour leadership against Andy Burnham because he saw too few fundamental differences between them.