Tory donor’s alleged comments about Diane Abbott MP were ‘racist and wrong’, says Downing St

It is frightening, Britain's first black female MP Diane Abbott says, following remarks reportedly made by Tory Donor Frank Hester.
Mr Hester has not denied making the comments and says - although he accepts his so-called "criticism" was rude - it was "not motivated by gender or skin colour."
Opposition parties say the remarks were racist and that the Conservatives should return the £10 million Mr Hester and his company have donated over the last year.
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[@michaelkavanagh5947]

Not a race or gender based comment, why then did he not just say her name why mention her skin and gender repeatedly? He didn’t even mention what part of her character he objects to. Just her skin and gender. The met will be chapping his door let’s see what they think. My goodness this is awful. What have we become to tolerate and excuse this behaviour?

[@davidreed9671]

We excused "kill whitey" and "throw battery acid not milkshake" , go figure.....

[@martinw3474]

"It makes you want to hate all black women" - no, that's not gender or race based at all.

[@ericneil8626]

we teach our children that those kind of comments are racist and wrong.... and it takes how long for our own PM to do so?? @@martinw3474

[@lorrimang]

It's not racist. It's a traditional upper-class expression directed at total incompetence. And right on target.

[@mayorhardin1171]

​@@lorrimangkoff Liz Truss koff

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I think something else that should be looked at is he is giving 10 milliom to the tories and got 100s of millions in contracts, this could be corruption

[@jnorth9431]

No could be, if it was out of the tax payers pocket than it is!

[@glendasharman6843]

A lot of the money was invested in the privatisation of the NHS, which the donor was involved and profiteering from.

[@clivecosta-correa2102]

The Yanks have a user-friendly term for it: _Pay to Play._ The Tories have adopted MAGA's playbook wholesale.

[@lindamcguigan5989]

Could be It damn well is a nice little earner

[@lindamcguigan5989]

They are being paid here in Scotland, no strikes, you are correct, the money is going to their cronies, not to services

[@jackmellor5536]

No surprise, he has an OBE. The honours system is corrupt and worthless

[@johntooth1886]

He should be a Sir.

[@berry6467]

⁠@@johntooth1886he should be a unidentifiable

[@Billywoo12]

I don't agree with Diane Abbott's stance or comments on most things but this is appalling. This sums up the state of discourse in the UK. Ties to Frank Hester needs to be cut off from the conservative party.

[@sighfly2928]

His company provide software to the majority of GP Practices / NHS Trusts! It’s so well known that mandatory submissions that Trusts or Surgeries need to make can often be negated if the Trusts tells NHS Submissions that System One has not updated their software to the required standard. It all makes sense now, because his software company is run exactly like the railways, it’s always needing more money to provide a sub par service.

[@christopherflux6254]

Even if it wasn’t racist or sexist (to be clear; I think it was), he potentially incited physical violence, even murder. That’s a criminal offence.

[@lorrimang]

To be clear it's a traditional upper-class expression directed at total incompetence, and is right on target.

[@mayorhardin1171]

​@@lorrimangTo be clear... you're an idiot

[@joeeeee256]

@@lorrimang wait what do u mean?

[@django3422]

@@lorrimang No, it's not. That's total rubbish.

[@cidkult]

​@@lorrimangplease explain racist, what are you talking about

[@gayans6112]

What a mess? It was a racist comment and no ifs no buts. If rishi, a brown man cannot figure it out, thats says a lot about him.

[@comanchio1976]

Of course he can figure it out. He's just a spineless worm.

[@stevensgoodallsg]

Rishi is the Indian Mr. Bean

[@glendasharman6843]

Asians don't consider themselves 'black'. When I was at University an Indian student told an African student that he wasn't black and she was and that his parents would never allow him to marry or go out with a black person. Unfortunately the British established this colour pecking order when they were ruling over India. Top of the pops is whites, a good way below whites is the Asians or brown people and at the bottom of the pack is the black people. Racism began with the British empire and it's disgusting.

[@Land-of-reason]

No it wasn’t. Look it up.

[@Happane]

That's why White supremist racist like to used him.

[@grahamturner1290]

How odd that this doesn't fit the Tory definition of "violent extremism".

[@AlbertBormant]

Because it was just words, not actual violence

[@PassiveAgressive319]

@@AlbertBormantwords lead to violence

[@Land-of-reason]

You clearly don’t understand that phrase. Look it up.

[@lervish1966]

He didn't mean it.

[@blazzz13]

@@AlbertBormant You mean like the thug Yaxley-Lennon?

[@iamthecrispconnoisseur]

Apology denied-Diane needs to take legal action against him!

[@julieanne6075]

Sue him for £10million so she can hire security or start up a security firm for mp’s

[@brisworld1204]

I don't like Diane Abbott, but it doesn't make me dislike black women..I know a lot of black women that are lovely...This guy is bang out of order and the Conservatives should refuse donations from him....

[@RDRGV350]

I've not heard of Frank Hester before this story. If I look him up on the internet, what's the chances I find he's a tax dodging, asset stripping corporate scrounger?

[@RDRGV350]

10 seconds tells me he profits from private health contracts with the government and out of the £millions he makes, he plows a certain amount back into the Tory Party. Oh what a surprise, corruption.

[@ozzie2612]

that's him

[@emmanuelrobert208]

Last week, they weren't Islamiphobic, this week, they're notvracist and sexist. So much for them saying there is no racism innthe party.

[@honeybunch6473]

And antisemitic....don't forget that. And who is "they"?

[@django3422]

​@@honeybunch6473Tories.

[@emmanuelrobert208]

MPs and spokespeople for the current Conservative government.

[@josiemadziva9825]

Elections are coming we will vote them out . They can share the £10million.

[@AA-kt8ei]

So criticise Israel, and you're cancelled, job lost, reputation gone, absolutely obliterated. But everyone else, blacks, Muslims, etc., takes ages to acknowledge racism/hate, and when pushed, an apology suffices, business as normal. OK then.

[@nooshoff]

Confused by that comment

[@AA-kt8ei]

I'm just pointing out the double standards. Not all hate is treated with equal airtime and consequences

[@Engelbertpumpadick]

Oy vey already

[@geoffcbr929]

@@AA-kt8ei Tell us about it the average Brit has been suffering double standards for some time now! BLM British Lives Matter!

[@dugebuwembo]

🙏🏿 🙏🏿 🙏🏿

[@ukulelelab4219]

Will sunak take this opportunity to go out outside n10 again and lecture us about extremism? Of course not..

[@felixdim3977]

Well said

[@njemilenantan2269]

If the comments are only "alleged" why is he calling Diane Abbott to apologise? He should have did I did not make those remarks. His efforts to apologise shows they were said. He needs to go kick rocks.

[@ukulelelab4219]

And that racist guy made his money as a supplier for the NHS? What a disgrace

[@sighfly2928]

Why do you think he has was so quick to back track and even tried to call Abbot? He doesn’t want his precious contracts to suffer.

[@sighfly2928]

Literally leeching off the NHS for decades providing a sub-par healthcare software.

[@ab8865]

They are all in it with these companies... that's why the country is in a mess and reform are exactly the same. They want providers involved with the nhs, it's all they think about.

[@ab8865]

The right hand side of politics capitalistic greedy politicians and the rich are worried of having a Labour government

[@don4techy]

Trace the 💰

[@momokoishida5402]

Whats the point in the investigation? Its happened! It mentioned, black, race, gender and wanting her shot?! If she we're blonde I bet he would have been acccused of sexism. 😑😑😑

[@alzo1sgood]

Every week, there is another embarrassment for the tory party. Rishi needs to call a general election now for the good of the country.

[@gb4453]

Doubt if he will do that yet as he has not managed to sort out the Immigration problem yet.

[@DannyC777]

Imagine his remarks had been anti-Semetic as opposed to anti-Afrocentric.... Definite double standards. Why has he not been arrested?

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

Donations by any individual or company should be limited to £100.

[@Turtles-are-kinda-gay]

But then how will MPs afford their dinner parties and holidays? Off their 90k salary you can hardly afford a 5 star hotel on that money /s

[@JugglinJellyTake01]

It is racist, extremist, violent, misogynistic and reckless. He should be prosecuted for racism, sexism and inciting violence. He should be fired from the Tory party, the donations returned and Sunak give a loud and clear message that such behaviour will not be accepted. If the same was said about Sunak there would be uproar.

[@damianbylightning6823]

You're very exercised about reports of a private conversation. Did you stamp your middle class feet so loudly when an alleged comedienne publicly called for battery acid to be thrown over Nigel Farage - comments the BBC chose to broadcast and no action was taken by Ofcommie afterwards.

[@RealUlrichLeland]

Racism and sexism aren't crimes in and of themselves, although there is a good chance this would legally count as hate speech. Threats to kill can be a crime, but only if there are clear signs that they actually intend to go through with that threat so this probably wouldn't count.

[@abuwilliams7228]

Totally agree

[@TheAArmstrong]

Could you squeeze a couple more buzzwords in please

[@honeybunch6473]

Extremist znd violent?? Ok

[@Truthseeker1515]

Where is the police and the arrest? No one in the public would be allowed to get away with such a racist comment!

[@AlbertBormant]

Fascist

[@swag12344]

@@davis7099 I dont think the average person wants to "Hate all black people" or call for others to be shot mate.

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

Amen

[@TruthWillOut-hb9vc]

He called for the most extreme violence. He must be held to account for that or it green lights other crackpots saying the same.

[@honeybunch6473]

You are either kidding or delusional. Where are the police 😂😂😂

[@tans430]

Purlease, when you base your view of a group of people on one person it is bigotry. Of course it was gender and race based, He referred to her race and gender, then said 'it makes you want to hate all black women'. However you 'spin' that, you cannot pretend it is not about either race or gender.

[@mamafreaky]

We need to move on they keep saying, absolute fuckwits. No we the public will decide when it's time to move on.

[@honeybunch6473]

Well you are only one member of public.

[@TruthWillOut-hb9vc]

There are millions of us feel the same. We've had enough of right-wing hate peddlers. Has that not sunk in yet?

[@SilentGig1]

​@honeybunch6473 and they want our votes and support

[@joeeeee256]

"trying not to be racist BUT..." literally an admission of racism

[@mariannehavisham8323]

Virtually.. it is a cliche..

[@jupiter998]

Wonder if d.a. would say as much

[@DeeOne-oy4wo]

Bye bye OBE lets remember how many people whom handed back their OBE in the past years .

[@marymatthews1052]

If it has no place in public why say it This is racist and should not be said wrong is wrong!!!!

[@Lynn.hot.legs.peters]

Sunak is hiding yet again..... !

[@cidkult]

When they told you the uk wasnt racist but every year they prove otherwise wild ASF 👀

[@cidkult]

He then said racism has no place in public life. Just at meetings then and at your house 😩🤣😂🤣 na seriously you can't make this up

[@lucasmoreno5330]

The double standards need to stop. One wrong word about Jewish people and you’re done for life. That’s the level of protection all groups should have.

[@dugebuwembo]

🙏🏿 🙏🏿 🙏🏿

[@Alan-gx8gf]

Except for White People ?

[@onlineonlineaccount2368]

@@Alan-gx8gfJews in the UK for the most part are whyte

[@mariannehavisham8323]

If only that were true

[@RiaDonita]

@@Alan-gx8gf he said “all groups”.

[@peterscott6818]

Dawn Butler as always talking sense mixed with integrity.

[@longlivetheboleyn1917]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@kingley-wn8mp]

It's a black woman, so his lucky it wasn't a more protective group. If he said something about jews he would have been done.

[@alfredttarski4521]

"The UK is the least racist country in Europe." *Bwhahahahahahahahaha ! Who do you think you are kidding !*

[@ab8865]

That's where our money is going to the companies

[@Jon-xw9om]

If I could vote him out at the next GE as well, I would. Just fed up with so many rich people, effing up daily.

[@dianeglanville]

Let's hope people don't vote those muppets back in power ever again bunch of muppets

[@maureengreenin2727]

You may not like everyone you meet, but that should be down to their personality their dishonesty, but that’s not down to their colour, religion or because they are a Tory MP.

[@wilfpickles9488]

At PMQ's the House will agree there are no racists in Britain!😂😂😂

[@tariq_sharif]

Rishi is a brahmin Hindu, his attitude to those lower than him should not be a surprise, it's a result of 1000s of years breeding and inculcation

[@user-dq5os4mq2v]

Frank hester has committed criminal incitement not a surprising fact this is disgusting, but sadly, it's standardised behaviour of mostly Tories in Parliament and the wider party. As proven from experience of them for over 45 years. Regardless of race.

[@redmed10]

This guy is taking the urine when he says his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. Its a wink to his far right followers. This looks like a classic case of the bullied turning into the bully if as he says he experienced bullying as a child because of his irish heritage. So big of him to accept he was rude to her. Mel Stride must also think we are stupid. But then again hestor gives a lot of money to conservative party so i can understand that because money means everything to them. Got my pop corn ready for PMQT tomorrow.

[@KarakuraNinja]

What I don't get is, what did Dianne Abbot ever do to anyone? She isn't a sinister or greedy person. She is a selfless and uncorrupted politician. She deserves respect.

[@jujutrini8412]

She was born with the “wrong” skin colour and dared to challenge people for their views on race. 😱

[@mikefish8226]

You are both kidding? Right?

[@joeeeee256]

​@@mikefish8226 well? Why else does she seemingly get this targeted abuse more than anyone else?

[@Morbid_]

​ Ah yes, Diane "White people love to play divide and rule" Abbott. Isn't it funny how she spews this malice with such confidence & then pretends to be scared when others hit back.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

​@@jujutrini8412like when she said blonde haired white women shouldn't be working at the local hospital?

[@dogzero1]

Strip Frank Hesters OBE from him.

[@AnthonyD-yy2in]

And send him to AA.

[@robertodonnell-lu9it]

Is it not a chargeable hate crime to incite violence against someone based on their race or sexuality

[@inkipinki8468]

That was not rude it was racist and misogynistic!

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

Lying to the public needs to be a criminal offence with a custodial sentence if you are an MP.

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

And they are always quick to say 'i am not racist '

[@steveogburn6316]

As regularly stated by the Labour Party.

[@MsCharlieBrown78]

Did the presenter really just deflect and blame Labour??

[@nerd26373]

We will always support this channel. They're one od the best.

[@sheilaroddick5853]

They would love everybody who disagrees with their racism to move on and I'm not going anywhere anywhere

[@proffessorclueless]

The Conservative view is very simple. If you are rich enough then you are more important and the law shouldn't and doesn't apply in the same way as it does to an ordinary person.

[@keithlambe211]

Rude,racist and threatening surely charges can be brought?

[@yetidodger6650]

the tory politician saying it's not gender or race based.......

[@andrewrobinson2565]

"black" "women" 😮

[@SenzoTanaka]

The communist saying that Co2 is discriminatory.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@SenzoTanaka Explain sensei 🙏.

[@Shsjier]

​@@andrewrobinson2565it's a troll

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@Shsjier Ah. Okay.

[@weswheel4834]

Sunak couldn't manage to say it to a camera?

[@lervish1966]

Because he believes that cameras steal souls.

[@clivecosta-correa2102]

The odious racism and misogyny aside, where does Hester's inflammatory remarks invoking actual violence, sit with Michael Gove's promised new definitions of extremism. (Funny how not a squeak from _him_ today.)

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

No more racist than when Diane Abbott said blonde haired white women shouldn't be working at the local hospital

[@paulforan4550]

Why aren’t the police arresting him???

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

See and hear what black people have to put up with Daily

[@lilithdalphinis958]

Not gender or race based....what rubbish....that's exactly what it is gender and race based.

[@EDOUBLEEE-yk8zb]

These people are no longer hiding how they feel about black people. Why should he apologize for saying how he really feels. Please believe people when they reveal who they really are.

[@boristihon4896]

Not surprised at all, It’s Tory

[@mohammedayyaz9056]

The conservatives will have a go at the "Irish" next

[@ox3965]

Reason why there is no action is because Rishi feels the same. People think because he has brown skin, he cannot be even more racist.

[@TeeTeeNet]

“Accused of“, “alleged”, GTFO he did, there’s no two ways about it!

[@Whatisallthisfor949]

You all have to realise that the Torries aren’t too fussed about those disgusting comments because that’s the type of language most Torries use behind closed doors all the time, let’s be honest now.

[@ranjinichitsabesan647]

It is shameful talk and must have come out from the mouth of the lowest person.Anyone from decent background will never say these awful statements.Again our country has failed in everything and no wonder UK came as the unhappiest nation in the world.What can you expect from hooligans.

[@monikawiedmann8594]

What he said has made a black woman feel less safe. It is much worse than 'just' offensive!

[@evertonwilson5186]

They love to tell us to move on

[@maryamali3347]

It appears that a lot of white individuals harbor animosity towards Ms. Abbott because of her advocacy for equality, which encompasses the rights of Black people. Unfortunately, this sentiment seems widespread among the white individuals I've encountered. Criticizing Ms. Abbott has become a common occurrence in mainstream discourse. I am grateful to Ms. Abbott for her unwavering support of Black communities who still face injustices reminiscent of past eras, even in modern Britain of 2024. The statement appears to be hate speech, and individuals who identify as Black have the option to file a formal complaint with the Metropolitan Police against the man. He should be charged under the new extremism laws! It is racial violence and black solicitors are filing complaints!

[@TheAArmstrong]

Or maybe some of the bigoted comments she has made about white people. Just saying… 🤷‍♂️

[@DavidZ4-gg3dm]

She's the most divisive & controversial current MP.

[@SenzoTanaka]

Wow. Because you're not an extreme communist, frothing at the mouth to persecute white people for the slightest reason.

[@wjumeau]

If she could only see past her colour and realise she is so oppressed she is actually a member of Parliament.

[@SuperGreen36]

Doesn’t give him the right to be a racist

[@johannesnicolaas]

Tory party is in total meltdown..... what a sorry lot. I cann't wait till the day that the party is left with 4 seats in parliament.

[@davesy6969]

If his very expensive lawyers say that he's not a racist, then who are we to question that?

[@jamesmarston1087]

She actually brown,,, not black

[@mohammedayyaz9056]

We need a new definition of "racism" just like "islamophobia"

[@MPole84]

Idk what you’re trying to say here but the comment he made was racist

[@rensoriginal379]

In a world where it’s okay for a public figure to say this and it’s a crime for a civilian to display paraglider imagery. Britain in 2024.

[@thomaspowell2043]

"Alledged" comments?!?!

[@contemplatinggod2791]

He should be charged with hate crime. Apology doesn’t cut it please

[@danielclemence3689]

You're concerned about some harmless comment and arresting him for it, instead of dealing with the rising crime on British streets?

[@indefatigable8193]

Wow! What’s going on in Britain!??!

[@Titus9508]

A big THANKS for mentioning the Forde Report exists.

[@PureNeptune]

Downing Street denouncing it because Sunak wont

[@deepdhillon7680]

Rishi has lost BIG Time . Wait till the General Election it will be the biggest defeat in the history of politics .

[@user-jc4lb5mm7x]

The description of a Tory, rich and racist, no surprise there then !!!!!!

[@lervish1966]

Labour is the racist party.

[@YouTubemessedupmyhandle]

Chances of giving a penny of his donations back: zero.

[@PMMagro]

Can he get a second OBE just to show how "worthy" he is... Your country is morally bankrupt.

[@ThomasShelby-to7oy]

I feel the same. Well said

[@dean9235]

Frank Hester is a monster

[@lilithdalphinis958]

What about the criminal incitement to murder....

[@siadali7673]

Absolutely outrageous situation

[@susangarbutt7189]

They need to stop with all the distractions, he said, she said hurty words and sort out some of the mess they have made of the whole country.

[@leonsmiles6053]

This is not just a problem across Government. This is a problem countrywide. Now and even from my school days where, my very own Head of Year, had a confederate pinned to the wall of her OFFICE. NORTH LONDON AYLWARD SCHOOL.

[@ChrisKeziahHyde]

It's extremist language, the exact type of extremism that Rishi was trying to blame on peaceful protesters. As it's extremist Rishi needs to follow his own words and do the right thing, hold the disgusting donor to proper account. If he doesn't, then how can we believe what he says about extremism in general?

[@td4yd154]

This is how all the ‘elites’ think.

[@boratkozak]

It's disgusting, but I don't believe Starmer is sorry for racist remarks.

[@emsmiff607]

If it wasn't gender or race based why does Mel Stride think it was inappropriate?

[@michaelmouse4024]

What kind of person gives the tory party £15M? Not £15M to Cancer research or the NSPCC or RSPCA, Oxfam etc... but to the tory party. F*cking rotate.

[@Tom_murray89]

The tories need to distends themselves from hester if they don’t want to be irrelevant

[@andrewhinds6302]

It's in his nature. He can't help himself.

[@mootedtols4865]

Joe Bloggs says this at work, or any public place or online space -- they're nicked. Rich guy who donated lots of money to the government -- nothing.

[@myb23_dasd]

Dawn was poised

[@ChangesOneTim]

Prince Of No.10 Darkness Dougie Smith told Sunak not to return Hester's donation or expel him. Ten mil is money CCHQ desperately needs in an election year.

[@robertallen591]

unfit person no more governmant contracts

[@user-du5jc7xz2y]

This man has a platform, he needs to Little sensitive about other people's feelings. We all love Diane Abbott . What he says does not change my opinion.

[@RA-oi4ml]

If the pm cant call out israel racism do u really think they going to say anything abt this

[@markevans1760]

every day...its almost like there is a pattern here...