I am appalled by comments made by Tory donor, Frank Hester, about Diane Abbott. Frank Hester allegedly said that Diane Abbott “should be shot” and that she made him “want to hate all black women”. There is no doubt about it, these comments are profoundly racist and violent.
I, like so many others, have contacted Diane to offer my support and solidarity at this difficult time. And it was especially heart-warming to see the Brent community come together to do the same in a rally outside the Brent Civic Centre. This was one of many rallies we have seen in support of Diane.
More widely, I have called on the Prime Minister to do the right thing and hand back the £10m that we know for sure Frank Hester has given to the Conservative Party. And if it is accurate that Frank Hester has also given a further £5m to the Tories then they should hand that back too. I have also written to the Secretary of State for Health over contracts that Frank Hester holds with the NHS. I called on the Minister to urgently review the contracts, where possible to terminate them and to make a statement publicly distancing the NHS and Department of Health from Frank Hester.
You can read my letter in full online at https://twitter.com/DawnButlerBrent/status/1769773345652793843.
I also tabled an Early Day Motion “Alleged Comments by Frank Hester” which was supported by members from across the House including Conservatives, Labour, SNP and Lib Dem.