Rishi Sunak, the UK Conservative Party, faces pressure to return a £10 million donation from businessman Frank Hester, who made racist comments about Diane Abbott. Abbott was denied the opportunity to speak at PMQs, sparking criticism towards Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for not allowing her to address the racism she faced. Michael Gove condemns Hester's remarks as 'horrific,' emphasizing the need to hold him accountable. Hester has reportedly made additional donations to the Tories, raising concerns about the party's acceptance of his funds despite the controversy.
'I don't think we should return it' @KemiBadenoch says Frank Hester should be forgiven for his 'racist' comments about MP Diane Abbott She says the party shouldn't return his money because the donations show him 'wanting to do something for the country' Speaking to @Peston https://t.co/EBrWnMpDt5
So far senior Tories have said that when Frank Hester said Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and "should be shot" he wasn't talking about race, gender or Diane Abbott.
Frank Hester's £10m donation "should be kept" says secretary of state for business and trade @KemiBadenoch. The Conservatives have "drawn a line" under the Frank Hester racism row, she adds. https://t.co/EvGV1ik5Hl 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/9lrD0BPsAA
Kemi Badenoch, the first govt minister to say Frank Hester's comments about Diane Abbott were "racist", seems to have changed her tune. She tells LBC: "This was something that happened 5 years ago - he wasn't talking to Diane Abbott, it wasn't even really about Diane Abbott."
This was the state of play with the Frank Hester’s “additional £5m donation” on Friday afternoon. The money had then NOT been handed over; the Tories were in talks about the extra cash…👇 https://t.co/1w1u4C6nhH
This was the state of play with the Frank Hester’s “additional £5m donation on Friday afternoon. The money had NOT been handed over; the Tories were in talks about the extra cash…👇 https://t.co/1w1u4C6nhH
This is the current state of play with the Frank Hester’s “additional £5m donation. The money has not yet been handed over; the Tories were in talks about the extra cash👇 https://t.co/1w1u4C6nhH
Frank Hester's racist and misogynistic comments about Diane Abbott were appalling. If the Prime Minister had a shred of decency he would do the right thing and hand this money back. https://t.co/z5icHPY1E1
Frank Hester racism row: how key figures reacted to Diane Abbott remarks https://t.co/wLPixmgPEW
EXCLUSIVE: Conservatives are still in talks about additional £5million from ‘race row donor’ Frank Hester https://t.co/HgpaQnoyhF
Tories urged to return ‘further £5m donation made by Frank Hester’ https://t.co/Jr2U9khn6Y
“Hester’s donation is worth 42% of the entire Conservative war chest for the election… through that lens, you see 𝐰𝐡𝐲 they’re doing what they're been doing.” Wondering why the Tories aren't returning the £10m to Frank Hester? @lewis_goodall | @jonsopel | @GlobalPlayer https://t.co/87iJ1008sk
It’s understood Frank Hester has donated another £5million to the Tories since January - a figure the Tories did not deny - on top of the £10million he had already handed the party The £15million total equates to 40% of the new £35million spending limit for a general election -…
Is this why the Tories were initially so reluctant to say Frank Hester's comments were racist? https://t.co/YrCrg2MzZf
There's no excuse for the Conservatives accepting more money from Frank Hester following his racist, misogynist remarks. They should repay this before it hits the coffers. Rishi Sunak needs to pay back every penny, cut ties with Frank Hester and apologise to Diane Abbott. https://t.co/dO5lPeooNH
NEW Rishi Sunak takes even MORE in cash from Tory donor in Diane Abbott racism storm https://t.co/6EXzyZ1Mij
From “move on” to “racist and wrong”: how the Tory line on Frank Hester shifted - @kiranstacey reports https://t.co/gPtjtosjdf
.@michaelgove goes one step further than other ministers so far in condemning the racist + threatening remarks by Tory donor Frank Hester. Tells @BBCr4today the remarks were "horrific". Points out he was personally targeted by the extremist who went on to kill David Amess MP.
Tory donor Frank Hester apologised for 'racist' comments he allegedly made about Diane Abbott. But does it go far enough? @michaelgove says he "should be called out for his words" and points to the diversity of the current government. https://t.co/nTmMb49Rfw 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/MzEk80725C
Tory donor Frank Hester apologised for 'racist' comments he allegedly made about Dianne Abbott. But does it go far enough? @michaelgove says he "should be called out for his words" and points to the diversity of the current government. https://t.co/nTmMb49Rfw 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/4sEZH9WplH
Tory donor Frank Hester apologised for 'racist' comments he allegedly made about Dianne Abbot. But does it go far enough? @michaelgove says he "should be called out for his words" and points to the diversity of the current government. https://t.co/nTmMb49Rfw 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/xWXdWQWII2
Diane Abbott tries to speak 40 times at PMQs after 'racist comments' were made about her by Tory donor but is ignored by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle https://t.co/wBliKLk6Nn https://t.co/qtVMogYA9h
Spot-on & well said, Rosena Allin-Khan, my local MP in Tooting & Earlsfield. Tory donor Frank Hester’s racist comments about black MP Diane Abbott were hateful & incendiary, & the Conservatives should give him back his £10 million, which is the very epitome of filthy lucre. https://t.co/4KYiYZxBCB
Diane Abbott deserved the right to speak for herself about the racism she experienced from top Tory donor Frank Hester - not just be spoken about. More than disappointing that the Speaker didn't call her, despite her indicating almost 40 times. Solidarity with @HackneyAbbott
Frank Hester's remarks were racist and misogynistic. If the Tories don't hand back his dosh, it seems every leaflet they print will be funded by someone with these views. Rishi Sunak should pay back every penny, cut ties with his biggest ever donor and apologise. https://t.co/jcPbVGAKyA
This is appalling. Diane Abbott stood up 46 times in 35 minutes in the Commons to try and have her say.. but the Speaker failed to call her during today's #PMQs which was dominated by the race row surrounding her. Absolutely shocking https://t.co/1ORL7O3d3D
Diane Abbott stood up 46 TIMES in 35 minutes in #PMQs to discuss the race row...but was ignored by Hoyle Even though the debate was about her... Racism and misogynism continued in the House of Commons? @SkyNews https://t.co/2HXYygao6B
The @Conservatives will say that @HackneyAbbott was not gender or racially discriminated against when @CommonsSpeaker @LindsayHoyle_MP ignored her 46 attempts to speak and let a load of white men speak instead. Solidarity with @HackneyAbbott Privilege to have met her! https://t.co/E3eaYM7INU
Businessman Frank Hester has been condemned after alleged comments he made about Diane Abbott and the PM has resisted calls to hand back £10m Mr Hester donated to the Conservative Party. On the Daily, @skynewsniall, @DawnButlerBrent, and @SamCoatesSky discuss the race row. 👇🎧 https://t.co/11IIQKng6U
How is Speaker Lindsay Hoyle still in his job?? Diane Abbott stood 46 times to ask a #PMQs about the abhorrent racist abuse and threats she has faced and was ignored every single time. Westminster is just dripping in Institutionalised racism Disgusting https://t.co/atuv2ZcTaL
Who is top Tory donor at centre of Diane Abbott racism row? https://t.co/0qwG9L2vhF
Frank Hester's alleged remarks represent deep-seated racism. ❌ The Govt should cancel his contracts ❌ The Tories should redirect his donations to anti-racism causes ❌ Hester should hand back his OBE My column 👇🏾✍🏾 https://t.co/5vViv7UfIy
MP Diane Abbott has criticised the Speaker after he didn't let her ask a question at PMQs She stood up multiple times to try and get the Speaker's attention, while much of the debate was about the 'racist' remarks about her by a Tory donor https://t.co/DPUQg6FCNx https://t.co/5Rh97gmGmn
Rishi Sunak appears to have ruled out returning money to a Tory donor who allegedly said Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and "should be shot" Read more 🔗 https://t.co/HZt2bCjoXY
The racism targeted at Diane Abbott by a top Tory donor is appalling. Diane deserves all of our support. As the first black woman MP in UK history and a real Labour hero, that should include Diane being brought back into the Parliamentary Labour Party. https://t.co/SAP9QBU19l https://t.co/RB6Ik3KIZb
BREAKING: Diane Abbott criticises Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for not calling her to speak during PMQs, despite it dominated by the Tory donor row 🟡 👇https://t.co/LHUWa2cdG3
Speaker fails to let Diane Abbott speak in PMQs debate on Tory donor’s remarks https://t.co/LI5jrYOazj
Diane Abbott has accused Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle of failing to act in the “interests of the Commons or democracy” after she was not called to speak at PMQs https://t.co/LgT1hVbBZ4
It is fundamentally wrong that @HackneyAbbott was denied the opportunity to speak for herself at #PMQs about the vile racism she has faced. Given the extraordinary nature of this situation, she should have been called. https://t.co/uM22tuTczw
Video: Speaker Hoyle repeatedly ignores Abbott - while MPs are discussing her. Diane Abbott couldn't get a word in for herself, despite wearing an eye-catching red jacket... https://t.co/981lMcNPCW HT @SaulStaniforth
Absolutely atrocious, @RishiSunak call an election both you and your Tory labour opposition leader appears to be working in cahoots @CommonsSpeaker did you not see #hackneyabbott how much does she have to suffer. Give her a voice for God's sake https://t.co/prJzaw0pLV
Frank Hester: Who is Tory donor at centre of Diane Abbott racism row? https://t.co/0UYMtv9YZ6
So @HackneyAbbott was not called to speak in a parliamentary debate that was essentially about her! Shame!
Rishi Sunak insists Tory donor's 'remorse should be accepted' amid racism row as he resists calls to give back £10m https://t.co/Ub0qiZLiAg
Rishi Sunak defied pressure to return a £10 million donation to his Conservative Party from a businessman who made past “racist” comments about Diane Abbott https://t.co/S2NecY6wSO