Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, stated in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he would return a £10 million donation from Frank Hester if he had received it, citing concerns over Hester's reported racist remarks. Street, who is seeking re-election this May, emphasized, "I would think about the company I kept and I would give that money back." This statement comes in the wake of reports alleging Hester made racist comments about MP Diane Abbott, expressing a hatred towards all black women.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands says he would have returned donations from Frank Hester, who is alleged to have said MP Diane Abbott made him want to "hate all black women". https://t.co/2nTMXHCJRM
"I would think about the company I kept and I would give that money back." Conservative Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street responds to @Marthakearney as to whether the Tory party should give back £10m in donations made by Frank Hester. #R4Today
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, would give the £10 million party donation back, having seen the reports of Frank Hester's racism. Street - seeking re-election this May in the West Midlands - says it would be about being careful about the company he keeps
On the Frank Hester cash, Tory West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says: “I would think about the company I kept and I would give that money back"
NEW: Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street tells @BBCr4today if he'd received £10 million from Frank Hester he'd hand it back. "I would think about the company I kept and I would give that money back."