Rishi Sunak finally admits Tory donor's rant against Diane Abbott is 'racist' as it’s reported to police
Rishi Sunak has finally condemned a rant by a Tory donor against Diane Abbott as “racist and wrong” after Number 10 failed do so for most of the day.
Frank Hester reportedly said that Ms Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and “should be shot”.
A spokesperson for the prime minister on Tuesday evening 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.”
Downing Street condemned the remarks earlier on Tuesday morning but did not describe them as racist.
The updated statement was released just hours after Kemi Badenoch branded the rant racist.
“Abbott and I disagree on a lot. But the idea of linking criticism of her, to being a black woman is appalling,” she said. “It’s never acceptable
