Cops launch probe into Tory donor’s ‘racist’ comments after Rishi Sunak blasted them as ‘wrong’
A TORY donor is under investigation by cops for alleged racist comments made about veteran MP Diane Abbott.
Frank Hester, who has given the party £10 million in the past year, faces fresh scrutiny as officers determine whether a crime has been committed.
The businessman faces allegations that he said that the longest-serving black MP had made him “want to hate all black MPs”.
He is also reported to have said that she “should be shot” at a meeting in 2019.
The probe has been passed to West Yorkshire cops as the incident took place in Horsforth, Leeds, having initially being looked into by the Metropolitan Police.
Hester had apologised for his “rude” comments about Ms Abbott but went on to claim that they had “nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.
Rishi Sunak faces criticism over his handling of the incident eventually calling the remarks “racist” but only after Cabinet Minister Kemi Badenoch called them out.
The Tories have faced huge pressure to hand back the £10 million cash.
There is speculation that he may have offered the party £5 million more for their election war chest.
The Prime Minister added that “remorse should be accepted” when faced with calls to give the cash back.
A West Yorkshire spokesperson said officers were now “working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed”.
They added that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on March 11 following reporting of the allegations.
The force said: “We recognise the strong reaction to these allegations and appreciate everyone who has contacted us since the article was published.
“As we continue our inquiry, we are keen to hear from anyone who could directly assist our investigation.”
Ms Abbott has said that “no Conservative has apologised” to her. She said: “They keep saying that the Hester guy, he’s apologised.
“He’s not apologised. He’s apologised for being rude, whereas in fact he was racist, and he’s not apologised for that.
“In fact, he was inciting violence. He’s not apologised for that.”