Minister defends donor over Diane Abbott remarks

A senior minister has said a top Tory donor's alleged comments about Diane Abbott "were clearly inappropriate" but people should "move on".

Mel Stride said Frank Hester's alleged comments the MP made him "want to hate all black women" were not "race-based".

Mr Hester has apologised for making "rude" comments about Ms Abbott but his remarks "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

Sir Keir Starmer said: "I don't buy that" and they should be called out.

The Guardian reports Mr Hester, who gave the Conservatives £10m last year, made remarks about Ms Abbott while criticising a female executive at another organisation during a meeting at his company's headquarters in 2019.

The newspaper reported that he went on to say: "It's like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you're just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she's there, and I don't hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

"[The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot."

At the time, Ms Abbott - who is currently suspended as a Labour MP - was shadow home secretary under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The BBC has not heard a recording, or been able to independently verify the alleged remarks.

Mr Hester's spokesperson said that his statement is not a confirmation of the alleged quotes in The Guardian.

Speaking to broadcasters, Mr Stride said: "I think the critical point here is I don't think what he was saying was a gender-based or a race-based comment, but it was clearly inappropriate.

"He has apologised and I think we need to move on from that."

Labour leader Sir Keir told ITV's Lorraine programme that the alleged comments were "abhorrent".

"And Diane has been a trailblazer, she has paved the way for others, she's probably faced more abuse than any other politician over the years on a sustained basis.

"And I'm sorry, this apology this morning that is pretending that what was said wasn't racist or anything to do with the fact she's a woman, I don't buy that I'm afraid, and I think that it's time the Tory Party called it out and returned the money."

A statement issued via TPP - the company Mr Hester founded - said he "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".

It added: "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 1970s.

"He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.

"He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life."

Mr Stride is the second Tory minister to comment on Mr Hester's remarks.

Energy Minister Graham Stuart said Mr Hester's comments were "clearly wrong" but warned against "cancelling anyone who has ever said anything".

When asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if the Conservatives should hand back Mr Hester's donations, Mr Stuart said he was not sure.

The Liberal Democrats said Mr Stuart's "refusal to call out these racist comments was simply jaw-dropping".

Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem spokesperson, called the Tories' refusal to return Mr Hester's donations "inexcusable".

"Rishi Sunak can bunker down and hide in Downing Street as long as he wants but every day he doesn't return this money is another damning blow to the Conservative Party's credibility," she added.