UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to return a £15,000 personal donation from Frank Hester, which was used to fund VIP helicopter trips. The donation was brought into question by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, particularly in light of comments made by Hester about Diane Abbott. Despite being challenged during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Sunak stated he would not reimburse the cost of the helicopter ride, emphasizing his appreciation for Hester's support of the Conservative Party, which he described as representing one of the most diverse governments in history. The refusal has sparked criticism, with de Cordova labeling it 'shameful' that Sunak took more than 24 hours to condemn Hester's comments as 'racist'.
MP for Battersea Marsha De Cordova asks the PM if he will return a donation from Frank Hester following his comments about Diane Abbott. "No," says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. #PMQs https://t.co/ZTbv6x8cal 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/snagdMrzqn
PM says he won't return a £15k donation from Frank Hester covering the cost of a helicopter flight Sunak is instead 'pleased' Hester is supporting the Tories Labour's Marsha De Cordova said it's 'shameful' it took the PM more than 24 hours to label Mr Hester's comments 'racist' https://t.co/vYP3mX6puI
Will the PM reimburse Frank Hester for the use of his helicopter? asks Labour's Marsha de Cordova Sunak says he will not reimburse Hester, who is “supporting a party that represents one of the most diverse governments in this country’s history” #PMQs https://t.co/8Zg3bWOOoo https://t.co/uRBDJx8zzw
Asked directly if he will return a donation he received personally from Frank Hester, Rishi Sunak replies, "No" and says he is "pleased that the gentleman is supporting a party that represents one of the most diverse governments [in history]." #PMQs
Rishi Sunak, asked by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova whether he will return £15k personal donation from Frank Hester that funded helicopter trips, replies: “No.”
Sunak reiterates that he won’t return cash for the use of a helicopter ride given to him by Frank Hester
Asked if he’ll reimburse the £15k Frank Hester spent on helicopter travel for him, Rishi Sunak says “no.” #pmqs
Challenged on this by @MarshadeCordova, Rishi Sunak says he won't give back cash for the VIP helicopter trip https://t.co/rakyyNJokG
Asked if he’ll repay the £15k cost of this helicopter ride from Frank Hester, Rishi Sunak says “no” https://t.co/jQuSR2bM3r