Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced calls to return a donation from a Conservative party supporter who allegedly made racist comments regarding Member of Parliament (MP) Diane Abbott. Frank Hester, who has donated over £10m to the Tories, reportedly said that Abbott “should be shot”. Despite opposition pressure, Sunak has refused to return the money, stating that Hester’s apology should be accepted. The prime minister further emphasized that his party represents one of the most diverse governments in British history. Labour MP Marsha de Cordova questioned Sunak directly regarding returning the donation, but he firmly declined.
Hester’s alleged comments have ignited a heated debate in the political sphere, with calls for Sunak to take action once morest racism within his party. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer demanded that the prime minister demonstrate the “courage to hand back the £10m.” Sir Keir also criticized Sunak for attempting to present himself as a unifier in his recent speech on extremism,