Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has called on the Conservative Party to return all donations received from businessman Frank Hester, following derogatory comments made by Hester towards Labour MP Diane Abbott. Yousaf criticised the comments as racist, sexist, and hateful, and extended solidarity to Abbott, praising her contributions despite political disparities.

Frank Hester, the CEO of TPP, has been in the spotlight for his inflammatory remarks about Abbott, which have been viewed by some as both racist and sexist. These allegations have prompted debates on the Conservative Party’s stance towards such comments, with some party representatives stopping short of explicitly labeling the comments as racist but acknowledging their inappropriateness.

Yousaf further accused the Conservative Party of institutional Islamophobia, citing previous derogatory comments directed at figures such as Sadiq Khan from within the party. These allegations have been met with denials of institutional racism from the conservative spokesperson.

The controversy has widened discussions on the broader issue of racism and sexism within the Conservative Party, especially in light of Hester’s significant financial contributions amounting to £10m. Despite his insistence that his comments were not racially or gender-motivated, calls have been made for the Conservative Party to distance themselves from such donors and focus on upholding integrity over financial gains.

This issue has also highlighted concerns regarding the safety and treatment of MPs, particularly with Abbott expressing fear following Hester’s remarks. With an expensive general election on the horizon, the integrity of political financing and the ethical conduct of political parties are under scrutiny.

The situation poses a challenge for the Conservative Party, as it navigates internal divisions and the emerging political landscape marked by the rise of parties like Reform UK. The controversy over Hester’s comments and donations has sparked a debate on the party’s values and the importance of accountability in political relationships and actions.