Police contacted over Tory donor’s alleged remarks about Diane Abbott | Politics Information

Rishi Sunak has mentioned feedback a Tory donor allegedly made about MP Diane Abbott have been “racist and fallacious” after the police confirmed they have been investigating the matter.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson mentioned Mr Sunak believed there was “no place for racism in public life”.

His feedback got here shortly after the Metropolitan Police mentioned they have been contacted in relation to experiences in The Guardian.

Frank Hester, who donated £10m to the Tories final 12 months, allegedly mentioned in 2019 that Ms Abbott made him “wish to hate all black ladies” and that the politician “ought to be shot”, based on the newspaper.

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Mr Hester has since mentioned he’s “deeply sorry” concerning the feedback in regards to the former Labour MP however mentioned they’d “nothing to do together with her gender nor color of pores and skin”.

Nonetheless, Mr Sunak’s official spokesperson mentioned: “The feedback allegedly made by Frank Hester have been racist and fallacious. He has now rightly apologised for the offence brought on and the place regret is proven it ought to be accepted.



“The prime minister is evident there isn’t a place for racism in public life and because the first British-Asian prime minister main one of the crucial ethnically various cupboards in our historical past, the UK resides proof of that truth.”

The assertion got here even supposing earlier within the day, the spokesperson described the remarks as “unacceptable” however wouldn’t say in the event that they believed they have been racist.

Enterprise Secretary Kemi Badenoch grew to become the primary cupboard minister to interrupt ranks and say the alleged feedback have been “racist” – however added that there ought to be “house for forgiveness”.

Ms Badenoch’s feedback got here after authorities ministers together with Graham Stuart and Mel Stride criticised the feedback however didn’t name them racist.

In a publish on X, the enterprise secretary wrote: “Hester’s 2019 feedback, as reported, have been racist. I welcome his apology.

“Abbott and I disagree on lots. However the thought of linking criticism of her, to being a black lady is appalling.

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

She added: “MPs have a tough job balancing a number of pursuits – typically below threats of intimidation as we noticed lately in parliament.

“Some individuals make flippant feedback with out considering of this context. Because of this there must be house for forgiveness the place there may be contrition.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson mentioned: “On Monday, 11 March officers from the parliamentary liaison and investigation crew have been contacted in relation to a report about an MP that appeared in The Guardian.

“We’re assessing the matter and are liaising with West Yorkshire Police because the alleged incident is believed to have taken place in Leeds.

“Officers from the parliamentary liaison and investigation crew stay in touch with the MP.”

In accordance with the Westminster Accounts venture, a three way partnership between Sky Information and Tortoise Media to shine a light-weight on how cash works in politics, Mr Hester’s Phoenix Partnership has donated £5.1m to the Conservatives because the 2019 election and has additionally individually donated £5m.

The corporate additionally made a single donation of £15,900 to Mr Sunak. Dated 11 December 2023, the donation was categorised as “help linked to an MP however acquired by a neighborhood get together organisation or not directly through a central get together organisation”.

The prime minister’s entry within the register of members’ monetary pursuits mentioned the donation concerned the “provision of [a] helicopter to fly me to a political go to and occasion on 23 November 2023”.

In accordance with The Guardian, Mr Hester made the remarks about Ms Abbott in 2019 throughout a gathering at his Leeds firm headquarters.

He reportedly mentioned: “It is like attempting to not be racist however you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and also you’re identical to… you simply wish to hate all black ladies as a result of she’s there.

“And I do not hate all black ladies in any respect, however I feel she ought to be shot.”

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In a press release on Tuesday, Ms Abbott – the UK’s first black lady to turn into an MP – mentioned Mr Hester’s feedback had put her in a “horrifying” place and he or she discovered the remarks “alarming” following the murders of fellow politicians Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021.

Opposition events have referred to as on the Conservatives to return the cash donated by Mr Hester.