Transport Secretary Mark Harper, in interviews with Sky News and BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, did not confirm whether the Conservative Party has received an additional £5 million donation from Frank Hester. Harper mentioned that donations are declared in the usual way and referred to future donations and hypothetical scenarios. Reports suggest that Hester, who previously said Diane Abbott should be shot because she makes him want to "hate all black women," had not yet handed over the additional funds, though the party had accepted a prior £10 million donation. The state of business and trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, stated that the Conservatives should keep Hester's £10 million donation and have drawn a line under the racism row.
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
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
"We took a donation that pre-dated [Hester's] comments" Transport Secretary Mark Harper says he does not think the Conservatives should return £10m of donations by Frank Hester after his alleged comments about Diane Abbott #BBCLauraK https://t.co/elEsfwrz5F https://t.co/Vo6BYDQLGb
Speaking to @bbclaurak, Transport Secretary Mark Harper is unable to deny my exclusive report from this week. He repeatedly refers to "future" donations and "hypothetical" scenarios. But I've been told the £5m has been handed over already 👇 https://t.co/PSFH0EJbEC
Transport secretary Mark Harper sticking robotically to govt “lines to take” on Tory donor Frank Hester on @bbclaurak. Repeatedly refuses to confirm whether Tories have accepted another £5m donation from Hester saying it’s “hypothetical” & would be “looked at in the usual way”.
Tory Minister Admits Party Could Accept More Cash From Tory Donor In Diane Abbott Race Row https://t.co/sg59IHWQ6G
Mark Harper repeatedly refusing to say whether the Conservative party has accepted, or will accept, another £5 million donation from Frank Hester, who said Diane Abbott should be shot because she makes him want to "hate all black women". #bbclaurak https://t.co/Fo84doulbI
'Has the Conservative Party received another £5m from Frank Hester?' @TrevorPTweets asks Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP. "I'm not involved in donations" @Mark_J_Harper says, adding donations are declared in the "usual way." 👇 https://t.co/fhIHlpTGAF 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/Y9iNJKslLv