Sunak says Tory donor’s Diane Abbott remark was ‘racist’ however gained’t return £10m

Rishi Sunak has lastly stated {that a} Tory donor’s alleged feedback about Diane Abbott had been racist in a humiliating U-turn.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman earlier refused to say whether or not it was racist for millionaire businessman Frank Hester to allegedly say that the MP made him “want to hate all black women” – saying it was “unacceptable” but refusing to explain why.

But Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch forced No10’s hand by tweeting that the alleged remarks were “racist”, adding: “The idea of linking criticism of her to being a Black woman is appalling.”

Tonight, the PM’s spokesman stated: “The feedback allegedly made by Frank Hester had been racist and unsuitable.” However Mr Sunak has resisted strain at hand again £10million from Mr Hester, who’s the most important Tory donor. Instead he stated Mr Hester had “rightly apologised for the offence caused and where remorse is shown it should be accepted”.

Ms Abbott, Britain’s longest-serving Black MP, has filed a grievance to the police concerning the alleged remarks. She stated it was “frightening” and “alarming”, particularly as two MPs – Jo Cox and Sir David Amess – have been murdered lately. She stated: “I am a single woman and that makes me vulnerable anyway. But to hear someone talking like this is worrying.”

Mr Hester, who runs well being tech agency The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), donated £5million to the Conservative Party individually and handed one other £5million by way of his agency over the previous 12 months, in line with the Electoral Commission.

And in November, TPP lined the £15,900 value of Mr Sunak taking a non-public helicopter to a Tory marketing campaign go to in Leeds. Photographs have now emerged of the PM getting within the luxurious plane in Battersea in London to be whisked as much as Yorkshire.

Mr Hester’s feedback had been first reported by the Guardian on Monday night time – with it taking Mr Sunak over 24 hours to say they had been racist. Ms Badenoch earlier grew to become the primary Cabinet Minister to interrupt ranks, together with Health Minister Maria Caulfield who additionally stated she “personally” finds the feedback to be “racist” and had been “not something we should be kind of excusing in any way”.

Former Tory chief William Hague additionally weighed in, saying: “Well, his comments, yes, do seem to be racist. I don’t think I could deny, that, honestly. I don’t know him, but I know he’s given a fulsome apology.”

According to The Guardian, which has carried out a months-long investigation into Mr Hester, he’s alleged to have stated throughout a 2019 assembly about an govt from one other firm: “It’s like attempting to not be racist however you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and also you’re identical to I hate, you simply need to hate all black ladies as a result of she’s there, and I don’t hate all black ladies in any respect, however I believe she ought to be shot.”

Top Tories tied themselves in knots to defend Mr Hester throughout the day. On Tuesday morning’s broadcast round, Energy minister Graham Stuart said the remarks were “ridiculous” but he would “hesitate” to describe them as racist. Cabinet minister Mel Stride said: “I believe the vital level right here is I do not suppose what he was saying was a gender-based or a race-based remark, however it was clearly inappropriate. He has apologised and I believe we have to transfer on from that.”

But in a massive U-turn tonight, the PM’s spokesman 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.”

A TPP spokesperson stated: “Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970’s.

“He rang Diane Abbott twice at this time to attempt to apologise immediately for the harm he has prompted her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks. He needs to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.”

A Met spokesman said: “On Monday, 11 March officers from the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team had been contacted in relation to a report about an MP that appeared in The Guardian. We are assessing the matter and are liaising with West Yorkshire Police because the alleged incident is believed to have taken place in Leeds. Officers from the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team stay involved with the MP.”

The police didn’t verify Ms Abbott made the report, nonetheless the Independent stated the previous Shadow Home Secretary lodged the police report.