'Abbott comments not ‘racism row’ or ‘Tory chaos' - this is stone cold racism'

12 March 2024 , 21:44

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Frank Hester, Tory donor, with Boris Johnson

Is this where we are now?

Are we really at a place where the largest donor to the governing party can allegedly, brazenly suggest he wants a Black, high profile female MP shot?

Are we really at a moment where ministers will try to deflect, obfuscate and bend over backwards to avoid giving the comments the condemnation they deserve?

We’ve seen and heard remarks from individuals in government over the past decade that have utterly plumbed the depths. But the words attributed to Frank Hester - who also claimed the appearance of Diane Abbott makes him ‘want to hate all Black women’ - are beyond disgusting. They aren’t just about Abbott, they are indeed about ALL Black women.

The arrogance of the government spokesman trying to claim the remarks were not gender or race-based would be laughable if this wasn’t so serious. Hester makes reference to both, specifically.

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In Frank Hester's vile comments he claimed the appearance of Diane Abbott makes him "want to hate all Black women". (Getty Images)

Remember the feeble reaction to his remarks when the Tories next hit out at rhetoric from protesters frustrated at seeing kids killed in Gaza while ministers sit on their hands.

Remember the silence from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (at the time of writing) when he next tries to urge the public to dial down their justified anger over the state of this country.

This isn’t a so-called ‘racism row’ or ‘Tory chaos’. Both are terms used to avoid calling it what it is. This is stone cold racism, directed at the most abused politician in Westminster, which must be universally condemned.

When it comes from someone with Hester’s influence and is played down as it has been, it legitimises others to use the same kind of language - and, more chillingly, exhibit those behaviours.

Had it been aimed at either Kemi Badenoch or Suella Braverman, despite my revulsion for both women, it would have been equally as deplorable.
It has broken my heart even before now to see the fear in which Abbott, a 70-year-old woman, has had to live even before Hester’s remarks came to light.

I come from her constituency, Hackney. I’ve been in her company before. She could easily be my aunt, my mother or a family friend. That she will now be feeling a fresh sense of vulnerability, whipped up by Hester’s remarks - and bearing in mind the loss of both Jo Cox and Sir David Amess - tells us everything about the climate this government has allowed to incubate in this country.

Darren Lewis