Frank Hester: Tories ‘in talks’ over further £5m from donor embroiled in Diane Abbott race row | Politics Information

The Conservative Occasion is “in talks” about a further £5m from a Tory donor embroiled in a race row, Sky Information understands.

Two sources mentioned discussions are ongoing in regards to the more money from Frank Hester, which if obtained, would take the quantity he has donated since 2019 to £15m.

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The businessman has been embroiled in a race row over feedback he’s reported to have made about left-wing MP Diane Abbott, together with that she “needs to be shot” and that she makes him “need to hate all black ladies”.

Stories emerged on Thursday that the donor – who had already given £10m to the occasion personally and thru his agency The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) – could have given one other £5m which has not but been printed by the Electoral Fee.

The watchdog solely publishes lists of donations each three months however in keeping with Tortoise Media, a Tory supply mentioned the occasion is “sitting on” an additional £5m of money.

Nonetheless, Sky Information understands the cash has not but been handed over.

There was no official remark from the occasion on the reviews.

Earlier, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt mentioned the Conservatives are “completely” clear about declaring donations – whereas refusing to substantiate if his occasion had obtained more cash from Mr Hester.

Requested if that was the case, Mr Hunt didn’t reply the query straight however mentioned: “We completely are clear. We observe all the principles, the rules. We consider in that transparency.

“Lots of the legal guidelines about that we truly handed ourselves and the Conservative Occasion totally complies with all the necessities to be clear about all donations.”

In the meantime, on Thursday the British Medical Affiliation’s basic observe committee, which signify all UK GPs, voted in favour of an emergency movement calling on Mr Hester to face down from the TPP, a healthcare software program supplier.

The movement learn: “This assembly is disgusted by the reported violent, overtly racist and misogynistic feedback, made by Frank Hester, director of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), and directed on the Rt Hon Ms Diane Abbott MP.”

Mr Hester’s feedback have drawn widespread criticism, with the prime minister describing them as “racist” and “incorrect”.

The donor mentioned he was “deeply sorry” for the remarks, however insisted that they had “nothing to do along with her gender nor color of pores and skin”.

The Tories had been already beneath stress at hand again the £10m in donations Mr Hester is thought to have made since 2019.

In an indication of inside divisions over the row, the Scottish Tories have referred to as for a “evaluate” into the donations with deputy chief Meghan Gallacher saying it could decide “what the occasion knew and the way we will truly transfer ahead”.

Chatting with BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, she mentioned she couldn’t touch upon the “unverified” donation, however that she would search clarification from the UK Conservative Occasion on the report.

Learn Extra:
Diane Abbott slams Speaker for not calling her to speak on race row
Abbott ‘frightened’ after alleged remarks from Tory donor

Whereas Mr Sunak has condemned Mr Hester’s remarks, he has mentioned his apology needs to be accepted.

He appeared to rule out handing again the money throughout Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying he was “happy” the businessman was supporting “one of the numerous governments on this nation’s historical past”.

Responding to the most recent reviews, Anneliese Dodds, the Labour Occasion Chair, mentioned: “It’s frankly staggering that, after his repugnant racist and sexist remarks, the Conservative Occasion are nonetheless attempting to rearrange a donation from Frank Hester. It exhibits the depths to which the Tory Occasion has fallen.

“The Conservatives must pay again each penny, reduce ties with Frank Hester and apologise unequivocally to Diane Abbott.

“And Rishi Sunak must develop a spine and take care of the acute views that look like tolerated in his occasion.”