Diane Abbott and Sadiq Khan slam homophobic attacks on Wes Streeting as first openly gay Defence Secretary

“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.”Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Ukrainian deputy defence minister Serhiy Boyve lay flowers at the Wall of Remembrance in St Michael's Square in KyivGettyHe added: “I’m proud of the fact that in my lifetime we’ve gone from gay people not being allowed to serve in the military to a gay Defence Secretary.“And in my first week, someone in the MoD said to me, ‘you know, as a gay man, I’m really proud that we have our first gay Defence Secretary, and it means a lot to many of us who remember the bad old days’. So I was quite touched by that.”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.”London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan branded the abuse unleashed at Mr Streeting as “disgraceful”. He added: “His appointment is something to celebrate – an important sign of how far we’ve come - and why we must never take that progress for granted.” Diane Abbott MPPA WireMembers 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.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.Read More“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.”The British military had a ban on gay personnel between 1967 and 2000 AFP/Getty