POLL: Should Tories give Frank Hester's donations back after racist remarks? (Image: Getty)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing calls to return the money businessman Frank Hester has donated to the Conservative Party.
The healthcare technology entrepreneur donated ￡10million to the Tories last year but has come under fire for comments made about Britain’s first female Black MP.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Classmates
Look For Any High School Yearbook, It's FreeClassmates
Undo
The Guardian reported on Monday that he told colleagues in 2019 that looking at Diane Abbott makes you “want to hate all black women”.
Mr Hester said he accepted that he had made “rude” remarks about the Labour MP, but insisted his criticism “had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and former Tory leader Lord William Hague all said that the comments made by Mr Hester were racist.
Sponsored
PixiCam
PixiCam Learn More
Thieves Hate This $39 Smart Home Security Camera
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
READ MORE: No 10 brands Tory donor's Diane Abbott comments 'racist and wrong'
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Mr Sunak's spokesperson later said: “The comments allegedly made by Frank Hester were racist and wrong. He has now rightly apologised for the offence caused and where remorse is shown it should be accepted.
“The prime minister is clear there is no place for racism in public life, and as the first British-Asian prime minister leading one of the most ethnically diverse Cabinets in our history, the UK is living proof of that fact.”
Lord Gavin Barwell, former prime minister Theresa May’s chief of staff, told the BBC on Wednesday that it was “hugely frustrating” that it had taken “so long” for Downing Street to call Mr Hester’s reported language racist.
He urged the party to return Mr Hester’s donation and added: “I don’t think we should accept any more donations from him.”
IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE POLL BELOW, CLICK HERE
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
267 Comments
Nigel Farage sets out three crucial reasons why Boris Johnson won't make election comeback
137 Comments
Lee Anderson's defection hammers yet another nail in the Tory coffin
29 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
805 Comments
Crisis for Sir Keir Starmer as damning YouGov polls expose his most monumental weakness
65 Comments
Why Boris Johnson will never campaign for Rishi Sunak - and won't join Reform either
266 Comments
‘Height of hypocrisy!' David Lammy torn apart as latest attack on Boris Johnson backfires
266 Comments
Letter demanding Rishi Sunak's resignation signed by 5,000 Tory supporters in 24 hours
1283 Comments
Boris Johnson returns to campaign on ‘great' Brexit freedoms to help save Rishi Sunak
1237 Comments
Diane Abbott accuses Labour of 'shocking' racism in Tory donor row
777 Comments
Why Tory MPs are unlikely to follow Lee Anderson to Reform
65 Comments
Nigel Farage brands Lee Anderson critics ‘privately-educated middle-class London snobs'
122 Comments
Lee Anderson's Reform UK defection is catastrophe for Rishi Sunak's election - here's why
460 Comments
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are keener to call each other racist than tackle tax burden
44 Comments
Tory donor comments about Diane Abbott were 'racist and wrong', Downing Street says
326 Comments
Tory donor Frank Hester's apology for racist remarks is completely disingenuous
11 Comments
Beverly Hills MD
Plastic Surgeon: A Youthful Neck After 50 Comes Down To This Daily HabitBeverly Hills MD Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Boris Johnson set for big general election comeback in bid to rescue Tories
1530 Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
798 Comments
Rishi Sunak blasts Sir Keir Starmer over 'double standards' in fiery Commons clash
54 Comments
‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown
227 Comments
BrightLifeDaily.com
Killer New Buick Envista For Seniors Is Simply Astonishing!BrightLifeDaily.com Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
267 Comments
Nigel Farage sets out three crucial reasons why Boris Johnson won't make election comeback
137 Comments
Lee Anderson's defection hammers yet another nail in the Tory coffin
29 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
805 Comments
Crisis for Sir Keir Starmer as damning YouGov polls expose his most monumental weakness
65 Comments
Why Boris Johnson will never campaign for Rishi Sunak - and won't join Reform either
266 Comments
Koprez
“Bone-On-Bone” Knee Agony? You Must See This!Koprez Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
‘Height of hypocrisy!' David Lammy torn apart as latest attack on Boris Johnson backfires
266 Comments
Letter demanding Rishi Sunak's resignation signed by 5,000 Tory supporters in 24 hours
1283 Comments
Boris Johnson returns to campaign on ‘great' Brexit freedoms to help save Rishi Sunak
1237 Comments
Diane Abbott accuses Labour of 'shocking' racism in Tory donor row
777 Comments
Why Tory MPs are unlikely to follow Lee Anderson to Reform
65 Comments
Nigel Farage brands Lee Anderson critics ‘privately-educated middle-class London snobs'
122 Comments
TheWalletGuru
People Born 1942-1971 Are Due a Large SurpriseTheWalletGuru
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Lee Anderson's Reform UK defection is catastrophe for Rishi Sunak's election - here's why
460 Comments
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are keener to call each other racist than tackle tax burden
44 Comments
Tory donor comments about Diane Abbott were 'racist and wrong', Downing Street says
326 Comments
Tory donor Frank Hester's apology for racist remarks is completely disingenuous
11 Comments
Boris Johnson set for big general election comeback in bid to rescue Tories
1530 Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
798 Comments
Rishi Sunak blasts Sir Keir Starmer over 'double standards' in fiery Commons clash
54 Comments
‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown
227 Comments
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
267 Comments
Nigel Farage sets out three crucial reasons why Boris Johnson won't make election comeback
137 Comments
Lee Anderson's defection hammers yet another nail in the Tory coffin
29 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
805 Comments
Crisis for Sir Keir Starmer as damning YouGov polls expose his most monumental weakness
65 Comments
Why Boris Johnson will never campaign for Rishi Sunak - and won't join Reform either
266 Comments
‘Height of hypocrisy!' David Lammy torn apart as latest attack on Boris Johnson backfires
266 Comments
Unify Health Labs
Randy Jackson: This 3 Minute Routine Transformed My HealthUnify Health Labs
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
TheWalletGuru
Benefits Seniors Are Entitled To In CA, But Often Forget To ClaimTheWalletGuru
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Trending
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also called on Mr Sunak to return the money, but Downing Street said Mr Hester “has now rightly apologised for the offence caused, and where remorse is shown it should be accepted”.
Yet Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake declared on Wednesday that the Tories would accept another donation from Mr Hester. Telling BBC Breakfast: “On the basis that we don’t believe Mr Hester’s a racist, yes.”
So what do YOU think? Should the Tories give the donations back? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Related articles Tory donor in racism row over 'utterly disgraceful' comments about Diane Abbott Good Morning Britain host rages 'don't smear me' as MP racism debate erupts Boris and Rishi were a winning combination and they can be again Delays to Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill will lead to more deaths in the Channel, ... Boris Johnson is electoral adrenalin shot that would jolt election needs