Diane Abbott, the UK’s longest-serving black MP, condemns derogatory remarks made by Conservative Party donor Frank Hester, sparking debate on racism and political funding.
Diane Abbott, the UK’s longest-serving black MP and a member of the Labour Party, has spoken out against derogatory remarks made by Conservative Party donor Frank Hester. Hester, who has previously donated £10 million to the Conservative Party, was reported to have made comments suggesting that Abbott “should be shot” and that seeing her evoked a desire to “hate all black women.” Abbott expressed her alarm at these comments, highlighting the importance of her safety as a single woman who frequently uses public transport, especially in light of recent assaults on MPs.
Labour leader Keir Starmer condemned Hester’s remarks, rejecting attempts to downplay them as non-racist and urging the Conservative Party to sever financial ties with Hester by returning his donations. Hester’s representatives later stated that his comments were rude but not intended to be racist or sexist, noting Hester’s background as a child of Irish immigrants and his stance against racism.
The incident has sparked controversy over the influence of money in politics and the Conservative Party’s handling of allegations of racism. Downing Street and Conservative Party officials have described Hester’s comments as “unacceptable,” yet have hesitated to explicitly label them as racist. Energy minister Graham Stuart and others have criticized the remarks without directly acknowledging their racial undertone.
Amidst calls from both Labour and Liberal Democrat members for the Conservative Party to return Hester’s donations, the episode has reignited debates on racism, party funding, and the challenges faced by minority MPs in the political sphere. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns regarding the interplay between financial contributions to political parties and the principles that guide their responses to allegations of racism within their ranks.
