The controversy surrounding Frank Hester's alleged racist comments continues as government ministers claim he apologized, which Hester denies. Former Conservative advisor Samuel Kasumu criticizes the party's handling of racism, emphasizing the importance of character over race in addressing discrimination. Despite denials, questions persist about the Conservative party's stance on race, with differing views on whether there is a problem within the party.
Diverse cabinet is no ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ on racism, says ex-No 10 adviser https://t.co/fyqCWSa9HF
Cabinet minister Mark Harper denies Tories have a problem with race https://t.co/x1zs70oQDc
Has the Conservative party got a problem with race? Listen to Laura Kuenssberg discuss comments from the government, and @samuelkasumu, on the latest #BBCNewscast
NEWSCASTERS! Your Sunday serving with me, @BBCPaddy @hzeffman ... Does UK politics have a problem with race? https://t.co/udSkmfH1h8
Powerful answer from @samuelkasumu who used to work for Conservatives, rejecting party's routine argument that they can't have a problem with race because the Cabinet is diverse - worth a listen.. https://t.co/8wNlLo05Se
This is a powerful answer from @samuelkasumu who worked for the Tories, rejecting the Conservatives' regular refrain that they don't have a problem with race because the Cabinet is diverse and the PM is a British Hindu from one of their @samuelkasumu https://t.co/8wNlLo05Se
“I just do not know what they are playing at, we have to do better” Former Conservative adviser Samuel Kasumu bemoans ministers using the diversity of the cabinet as a “get out of jail free card” in tackling racism #BBCLauraK https://t.co/elEsfwrz5F https://t.co/7q6tfvFw2v
'To paraphrase Martin Luther King, it is not the colour of your skin that matters when it comes to tackling racial discrimination and bringing communities together, it has to be the content of your character' says @samuelkasumu on diversity at the top & the politics of inclusion https://t.co/PQWdgt4zrA
Cabinet ministers say there isn't a problem - but former No 10 adviser @samuelkasumu says there is, and just saying Cabinet is diverse doesn't make the issue go away... https://t.co/2JN2WML2tt
Busy morning on #bbclaurak - after the Hester row, we asked if the Tories have a problem with race? https://t.co/bRlOoLwiA4
Frank Hester: Tories do not have a problem with race, says minister https://t.co/na4rDEr589
"Do the Conservatives have a problem with race?" asks #BBCLauraK "Absolutely not... we are a party which welcomes people from across the UK, whatever their background, whatever their race" says Transport Secretary Mark Harper https://t.co/elEsfwrz5F https://t.co/u2plJHsXdH
🚨 NEW: Former Conservative advisor Samuel Kasumu, says it’s about “character” and “willingness to lead” when it comes to tackling racism in politics “and that is not what we’re seeing today” [@bbclaurak]
"The facts do present a really damning picture" Former Conservative adviser Samuel Kasumu says there are "challenges" regarding racism in politics and "we are not dealing with it as much as we should" #BBCLauraK https://t.co/elEsfwrz5F https://t.co/Ty970eDLW0
Mark Harper says Rishi Sunak's spokesman "made it very clear" that Frank Hester's comments were racist. Completely untrue. The line for about 24 hours was that the comments had absolutely nothing to do with Diane Abbot's race or gender. #bbclaurak https://t.co/NzrRnM1uOj
Frank Hester has *not* apologised for racism. (Government ministers claim he has apologised - but he has denied) Tactical attempt to apologise for comment without owning or confirming the words leaves lots of questions unanswered. Eg, see this comment about the female executive https://t.co/Sz5UsuHrxR