Diane Abbott racism row: Independent readers call for Tories to return £10m donation from Frank Hester

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Pressure continues to mount on the federal government to return a £10 million donation from enterprise mogul Frank Hester following the resurfacing of racist and sexist remarks focusing on Diane Abbott.

Hester, chief government of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), which has received greater than £400m in authorities and NHS contracts, allegedly made derogatory feedback about Abbott throughout a 2019 firm assembly, suggesting she “should be shot”.

The feedback, introduced to mild by The Guardian newspaper, prompted Hester to admit to being “rude about Diane Abbott,” though he vehemently denied accusations of racism.

Leading Tory figures have condemned the language utilized by the Conservative donor, who gave the get together £10m in 2023.

However, Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake asserted that retaining the donation was justifiable since Hester “is not a racist” and had issued an apology.

In distinction, Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, voiced his help for returning the donation.

While the Tory get together seem divided on what to do with the funds, Independent readers had been largely united on the difficulty after we put the query to them this week.

Here’s what you had to say:

‘Give all his donations to anti-racist charities’

By accepting it within the first place the Tories demonstrated their lack of judgement and morals.

Hester has a status for making this sort of remark about folks he dislikes. They ought to inform this odious little man they received’t settle for his cash and provides all his donations to anti-racist charities.

Stardust

‘An inquiry needs to happen immediately’

The cash ought to by no means have been accepted within the first place as a result of the cash comes from income on taxpayer funded contracts. Surely the Tories knew this? An inquiry into get together funding wants to occur instantly, however the tories received’t call one as a result of they want all the cash they’ll get to marketing campaign in an election they’ll seemingly lose.

As for Hester’s feedback, he wants to be held to account for inciting racial and gender violence. Let’s see what the police do about it, nothing I believe.

Tabbers

‘They need it to cling to power’

They won’t give the cash again as they want it in a determined effort to cling to energy. Hopefully, the voters will see by way of them and oust them when the election finally comes.

Rob

‘A moral obligation to donate’

Returning the cash to Hester is out of the query however donating it to charity, notably one which combats racism, is an ethical obligation.

Of course, the Tories will maintain it as a result of decency and integrity are usually not forex of their world.

IanHall

‘It should be illegal’

Given that his income come from contracts awarded to him by the Tories, the cash he gave to the Tories originated with the taxpayer. This is typical Johnson-era malfeasance. In different phrases corruption. It must be unlawful.

In reality, it most likely is, however as normal on this nation, Westminster will flip a blind eye to the malpractices of its personal.

TrussedUpTurkeys

‘Their credentials are clear’

If the Tories don’t both return the cash OR donate it to some good causes together with these in Hackney, then their credentials are clear. Be as racist and insulting as you want. We will forgive and neglect in the event you give sufficient cash to the Conservative Party.

voxtrot

‘Return the money’

Return the cash and use it to help companies in Abbott’s constituency.

And then an unbiased inquiry into lobbying. It makes a mockery of the democratic course of.

stonia

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