Police in northern England are currently investigating whether a major donor to the Conservative government may have committed a crime following reports of racist remarks made towards a Black member of Parliament. The donor in question, Frank Hester, who is the chief executive of healthcare software firm The Phoenix Partnership, allegedly expressed sentiments of hatred towards Diane Abbott, the first Black woman to serve in the House of Commons.
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they are actively working to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine if any criminal offense has taken place. Hester has since issued an apology for his comments, acknowledging them as 'rude' but denying any racist intent.
The controversy surrounding Hester's remarks has put the Conservative Party in a difficult position, with calls for the return of the substantial donation he made. Despite pressure from opposition politicians, the party has so far resisted returning the 10 million pounds contribution.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak initially condemned Hester's comments as 'unacceptable,' but it wasn't until Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch labeled the remarks as racist that the party officially acknowledged the racist nature of the comments. Sunak later addressed the issue in Parliament, stating that the alleged comments were indeed racist and emphasizing Hester's subsequent apology.
Hester's company has received significant payments from the National Health Service and other government bodies, totaling over 400 million pounds since 2016. The reported comments were made during a company meeting in Leeds, where Hester allegedly expressed discriminatory views towards Diane Abbott.
Diane Abbott, who has been a Member of Parliament since 1987, described the remarks as alarming, particularly in light of recent violent attacks on politicians. The police have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in their investigation.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about racism and political discourse in the UK, with implications for the upcoming elections and public perception of the Conservative Party.
