David Powell
Updated on: October 11, 2024 5:38 pm GMT
Diane Abbott has criticized the Conservative Party’s acceptance of a recent £5 million donation from controversial businessman Frank Hester, asserting that these actions reveal a lack of genuine commitment to combatting racism. The donation, made just days before a major election, has reignited discussions about Hester’s past remarks regarding Abbott, which were widely condemned as racist.
Latest Donation and Background Information
The recent funding from Hester, through his company The Phoenix Partnership, brings his total contributions to the Conservative Party to over £20 million since the start of 2023, making him the party’s largest individual donor. This latest donation was revealed in Electoral Commission records and adds to a previous £5 million contribution made in January and another £150,000 in March earlier this year.
Hester’s comments about Abbott, made in 2019 during a company meeting, stated that looking at her “made you want to hate all black women.” Following the release of these statements by the Guardian in March, Abbott has been vocal in her condemnation, calling the remarks offensive and indicative of a deeper issue within the Conservative Party. Hester later apologized for his comments but claimed they were not motivated by race or gender.
Political Reactions and Implications
In light of the new donation, Abbott expressed her disbelief, highlighting that even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had categorized Hester’s remarks as “wrong” and “racist.” Abbott remarked, “It shows that the Tories only pay lip service to fighting racism,” criticizing the party’s decision to continue accepting funds from Hester despite the uproar surrounding his comments.
Katie White, the newly elected Labour MP for Leeds North West—where Hester’s firm is based—echoed Abbott’s sentiments, asserting that Hester’s financial contributions have directly influenced the Conservative Party’s general election campaign. She stated that such acceptance of money is condoning Hester’s troubling comments.
Electoral Commission Findings and Party Responses
The controversy surrounding Hester’s donations intensified following a period during which the Conservative Party faced mounting pressure to return the funds. The acceptance of the latest £5 million came shortly before the general election, meaning it was not disclosed during the regulated donation reporting period. This has fueled further criticism from political opponents.
Responses from the Conservative Party have been mixed. The party has consistently declined to confirm if they would return the funds. Richard Holden, Conservative chair, defended the acceptance of Hester’s donations, stating that Hester had expressed genuine contrition and therefore deserved to have his support acknowledged.
Call for Action from Opposing Parties
Opposition parties are calling for definitive action from the Conservative Party. Labour sources emphasized that the party’s campaign was underpinned by money from Hester, with some urging a commitment that no future contributions would be accepted from him. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has also demanded that the Conservatives return all of Hester’s donations, labelling his comments as inexcusable, and has called for a ban on any future peerage for Hester.
Conservative Leadership Candidates’ Silence
Amid the rising tension, Abbott pointed out that none of the Conservative leadership candidates have condemned Hester’s ongoing financial support, suggesting that their silence indicates complicity in the issue. The reluctance to distance themselves from Hester’s money points to a broader concern regarding the party’s stance on race and its implications for public trust.
Electoral Impact and Financial Overview
The scale of Hester’s contributions is notable, with his donations accounting for approximately 58% of the total spending limit for Conservative Party national campaigns set at £35 million. If the party were to return Hester’s contributions, it would create a significant funding shortfall, which is likely a contributing factor to their hesitance in addressing the issue more robustly.
As the investigation into Hester’s comments continues under Operation Brassminster, the political fallout extends beyond financial implications, raising critical questions about the Conservative Party’s values and their position in the current political landscape.
Conclusion
As people talk about Hester’s donations, it reminds us how money and ethics are connected in politics. What happens next could really impact how the Conservative Party is seen by the public and how they relate to voters who care about fairness and honesty.
