Tory donor’s alleged comments about Diane Abbott were racist, says Downing Street

Comments allegedly made about Diane Abbott by a Conservative donor were “racist and wrong”, Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson has stated.

Frank Hester, who has donated £10m to the Tories, reportedly stated the MP made him wish to “hate all black women”.

Mr Hester apologised for making “rude” comments however stated his phrases “had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.

Downing Street initially declined to explain his comments as racist.

But later Mr Sunak’s spokesperson stated: “The comments allegedly made by Frank Hester were racist and fallacious.

“He has now rightly apologised for the offence induced and the place regret is proven it ought to be accepted.

“The prime minister is clear there is no place for racism in public life, and as the first British-Asian prime minister leading one of the most ethnically diverse Cabinets in our history, the UK is living proof of that fact.”

Mr Sunak is now dealing with calls to return the cash Mr Hester has donated to the Conservative Party.

Former Labour deputy chief Harriet Harman described it as “tainted money”.

“He should not be fighting an election on money which has come from this person,” the MP stated talking on BBC’s The World Tonight on Tuesday.

Lord Barwell, a former minister, instructed BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Wednesday that his celebration shouldn’t settle for additional donations from Mr Hester however “they may well have spent some of the money” that had already been given.

The ex-Downing Street chief of employees additionally criticised No 10 for the “hugely damaging” choice to ship out ministers who were unable to name the comments racist earlier than the federal government line modified.

The authorities’s place on Mr Hester’s alleged remarks zigzagged all by means of Tuesday.

Ministers very first thing stated the comments were “unacceptable” however would not describe them as “racist” or “sexist”.

And neither would Downing Street.

Then the Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch outflanked the prime minister and stated they were.

Downing Street held its line. That is, till it did not – when at 18:30 on Tuesday night they modified their thoughts, and stated they were racist.

On Monday, the Guardian reported that in 2019 Mr Hester stated: “It’s like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you’re just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she’s there, and I don’t hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.”

In additional remarks reported by the newspaper from the identical assembly, the Phoenix Partnership boss is claimed to have stated that there was “no room for the Indians, then?” and prompt employees climb on a prepare roof.

In a social media publish, published earlier, Mr Hester stated he “abhors racism”, which he described as a “poison that has no place in public life”.

He added: “We should have the confidence to discuss our differences openly and even playfully without seeking to cause offence.”

The BBC has not heard a recording, or been capable of independently confirm the alleged remarks.

Ms Abbott, who’s presently suspended from sitting as a Labour MP, stated the comments were “frightening”.

She has reported Mr Hester to the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigations Team, a Met Police unit arrange following the homicide of MP Jo Cox in 2016.

It investigates alleged crimes in opposition to MPs of their capability as elected representatives, and liaises with the Parliamentary Security Department.

Responding on social media, Ms Badenoch, who additionally serves because the equalities minister, stated: “Hester’s 2019 comments, as reported, were racist.

“I welcome his apology. Abbott and I disagree on quite a bit. But the thought of linking criticism of her, to being a black lady is appalling.

“It’s by no means acceptable to conflate somebody’s views with the color of their pores and skin.

“Some folks make flippant comments with out considering of this context – that is why there must be area for forgiveness the place there’s contrition.”

Labour celebration chair Anneliese Dodds stated: “After lastly conceding that his comments are racist, what additional proof does Rishi Sunak want that the Conservatives accepting Frank Hester’s money is totally fallacious?

“After ministers lined up to dodge the reality of the situation, it’s time to face up to the facts: the Conservatives must apologise unequivocally to Diane Abbott, pay back these donations and root out the extreme views and prejudice which appears to be tolerated within the party.”

Mr Hester is without doubt one of the Conservative’s largest donors, having given them £5m final yr and an extra £5m by means of his firm.

In November, he gifted Mr Sunak the usage of a helicopter for a political go to, valued at £15,000, in keeping with parliamentary data.

In an announcement launched on Monday, Mr Hester’s firm stated he “accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.

It added: “The Guardian is correct when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least as a result of he skilled it because the youngster of Irish immigrants within the 1970s.

“He rang Diane Abbott twice at the moment to attempt to apologise immediately for the damage he has induced her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.

“He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.”

Ms Abbott stated as a “single woman” she was already “vulnerable” when strolling or taking a bus in her Hackney constituency.

“For all of my career as an MP I have thought it important, not to live in a bubble, but to mix and mingle with ordinary people,” she added.

“The fact that two MPs have been murdered in recent years makes talk like this all the more alarming.”

The Metropolitan Police stated it was assessing the matter after its Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team were contacted, and was liaising with West Yorkshire Police because the alleged incident was believed to have taken place in Leeds.

Ms Abbott had served as a Labour MP since 1987, however was suspended from sitting within the parliamentary celebration in 2023 after she stated Irish, Jewish and Traveller folks were not topic to racism “all their lives”.

She withdrew her remarks and apologised “for any anguish caused”.

Ms Harman stated she wished to see Ms Abbott’s suspension resolved and the MP again within the celebration.

She stated that she didn’t wish to second-guess Labour’s complaints process and supported Keir Starmer’s drive in opposition to antisemitism, including that she “would be very sad” if Ms Abbott was to depart Parliament not as a Labour MP.

In an announcement, Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain additionally referred to as on the celebration handy again the donations.

“Every day [Mr Sunak] doesn’t return this money is another damning blow to the Conservative Party’s credibility,” she stated.