Diane Abbott Expresses Fear Over Alleged Remarks by Tory Donor; Minister’s Acceptance of Contributions Raises Concerns
Labour politician Diane Abbott has voiced her distress over purported comments made by a Tory donor, Frank Hester, who allegedly expressed sentiments suggesting hatred towards black women and advocated violence against her. Hester, a businessman who has contributed over £5m to the Conservative Party since 2019, reportedly made derogatory remarks about Abbott, including stating that she “made him want to hate all black women” and should be shot, as per a report in the Guardian.
In response, Hester admitted to making “rude” comments about Abbott but denied that they were based on her gender or race. Abbott, however, described the impact of the alleged remarks as “frightening,” particularly in light of her vulnerability as a single woman who often uses public transportation.
The incident has drawn condemnation from various political quarters, with calls for Tory ministers to return any donations linked to Hester. While Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson labeled the remarks as “unacceptable,” others stopped short of categorizing them as racist or gender-based. Energy Minister Graham Stuart criticized Hester’s comments but refused to endorse returning the donations, emphasizing the importance of supporting the party regardless of past indiscretions.
Abbott, who has faced previous controversies within her own party, received support from Labour leader Keir Starmer, who praised her contributions to politics and called for accountability from the Conservative Party. The Labour Party has also pledged to ensure Abbott’s well-being following the incident.
The controversy surrounding Hester’s remarks has reignited debate over political donations, with scrutiny on the transparency and accountability of such contributions. According to reports, Hester’s company, the Phoenix Partnership, has made significant donations to the Conservative Party, raising questions about the influence of big donors in British politics.
The issue underscores broader concerns about racism and sexism in political discourse and the responsibility of political leaders to address and condemn such behavior. As the fallout continues, pressure mounts on the Conservative Party to take decisive action and address the underlying issues raised by Abbott’s ordeal.
