Diane Abbott in the Central Lobby as she walks back to the House of Commons in 2019. (Photo credit should read: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire URN:46895566) (Press Association via AP Images)
West Yorkshire Police are investigating Tory party donor Frank Hester’s alleged racist remarks about MP Diane Abbott, made during a 2019 corporate meeting.
A spokesperson said that the police were “working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed.”
Abbott made a complaint after news of the comments was revealed by the Guardian but the case was transferred from the Metropolitan Police because the alleged incident occurred in Leeds, and not London.
According to the Guardian, Hester said that Abbott made him want to “hate all black women” and suggested Abbott “should be shot.” Hester, the Tory party’s biggest financial donor, apologised for the remarks and said the criticism was not motivated by racism or sexism.
Despite this, the incident sparked a political firestorm in recent weeks, with demands from opposition MPs for the Tories to return Hester’s £10 million in donations, given in the last year.
At the time Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labelled the comments as “racist” but the party has opted to retain the funds.
Police have called for public witnesses to come forward.
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