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 have called on the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, 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.
The EDM reads as follows:
That this House expresses its shock regarding the alleged comments made by Frank Hester reported by The Guardian about the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and all Black women; believes these alleged comments to be both racist and violent in nature; notes that Mr Hester is a regular and substantial donor to the Conservative Party; and calls on all leaders including the Prime Minister to condemn these remarks.
You can see the full list of signatories here:
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61994/alleged-comments-by-frank-hester