Who is Frank Hester
According to The Guardian, Hester reportedly said that looking at Diane Abbott, a former Labour MP (now independent), “[made him] want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot.”
Frank Hester, the CEO of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), became a prominent figure in the UK media due to his significant donations to the Conservative Party.
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Let’s delve into the details on Hester:
- Generous Donations:
- Hester made headlines when he donated a staggering £10 million to the Conservative Party in the previous year.
- This substantial contribution included a personal donation of £5 million and an additional £5 million from his software firm, TPP.
- TPP, which specializes in health-care technology, secured substantial contracts from the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Notoriety and Controversy:
- Despite his generous financial support, Hester’s reputation took a nosedive due to alleged comments he made during company meetings.
- According to The Guardian, Hester reportedly said that looking at Diane Abbott, a former Labour MP (now independent), “[made him] want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot.”
- The same newspaper revealed that Hester asked staff at the TPP headquarters if there was “no room for the Indians” and suggested they climb on a train roof during a meeting.
- Allegedly, he also made “a lot of jokes about racism.”
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Apology and Fallout:
- In response to the controversy, Hester expressed remorse, stating that he is “deeply sorry.”
- His spokesperson clarified that the comments were “rude” but had “nothing to do with [Abbott’s] gender nor color of skin.”
- The situation sparked debate, with opposition leader Keir Starmer questioning whether the Prime Minister should be associated with someone using “racist and misogynistic language” for financial support123.
Frank Hester’s case highlights the delicate balance between political donations and public scrutiny, especially when controversial statements come to light.