The Conservative Party is currently under scrutiny for accepting donations from Frank Hester, a supporter embroiled in a racism row, with recent reports indicating the party received £5 million more than previously declared. This has led to calls from the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to return the total £15 million received from Hester in the past year. The controversy stems from Hester’s alleged racist remarks towards Labour MP Diane Abbott, leading to widespread criticism.

Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds has condemned Hester’s comments as racist and misogynistic, urging the Conservatives to return the funds. This situation has put additional pressure on the party, amidst growing demands to review and potentially return the money. Although some Conservative members and government officials have suggested accepting Hester’s apology, the backlash against retaining the donations is escalating.

In parallel, UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has come under fire for refusing to label Hester’s comments as extremist, despite their severity. Hester’s remarks included a suggestion that MP Diane Abbott should be shot, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned. However, when questioned by BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty, Gove avoided categorizing the remarks as extremist, raising concerns about the government’s stance on inflammatory rhetoric.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a newly unveiled definition of extremism by Communities Secretary Michael Gove. The definition aims to prevent groups promoting violence, hatred, or intolerance from receiving government funding and engaging with officials. It has sparked debate over its potential impact on civil liberties and its implications for national security, with critics expressing concerns over the possibility of unfairly targeting Muslim communities.

The sequence of events highlights the broader issues of racism, extremism, and intolerance within UK political discourse, spotlighting the government’s handling of such matters and the need for accountability in addressing inflammatory language and views.