Tory donor's alleged comments about Diane Abbott were racist, says Downing Street

BBC ^ | March 13 | BBC

[RandFan]

Comments allegedly made about Diane Abbott by a Conservative donor were "racist and wrong", Rishi Sunak's spokesperson has said.

Frank Hester, who has donated £10m to the Tories, reportedly said the MP made him want to "hate all black women".

Mr Hester apologised for making "rude" comments but said his words "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

Downing Street initially declined to describe his comments as racist.

But later Mr Sunak's spokesperson said: "The comments allegedly made by Frank Hester were racist and wrong.

"He has now rightly apologised for the offence caused and where remorse is shown it should be accepted.

"The prime minister is clear there is no place for racism in public life, and as the first British-Asian prime minister leading one of the most ethnically diverse Cabinets in our history, the UK is living proof of that fact."

Mr Sunak is now facing calls to return the money Mr Hester has donated to the Conservative Party.

Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman described it as "tainted money".

"He should not be fighting an election on money which has come from this person," the MP said speaking on BBC's The World Tonight on Tuesday.

[RandFan]

So Rishi gives into the baying mob. Now he's in a predicament. Will he return the money?

[Demiurge2]

Now sorta translate this to a US context... Whoopi Goldberg says that Donald Trump makes her want to hate all white males. Imagine the media outrage... no, you don’t need to bother.

[bk1000]

Wow, someone claims something you said is racist? Just reply that it is not racist. Why is one’s opinion more valid than another’s? Some people think everything white or black pertains to skin color.