Give race row donor's money to charity, says MP

Zarah Sultana sat next to Diane Abbott in the House of Commons this week

A Labour MP has said the Conservative Party should give millions of pounds in controversial donations to anti-racism charities.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure over his ties to Frank Hester, a party donor embroiled in a race row.

Mr Hester, a technology tycoon, allegedly said veteran MP Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and should "be shot", sparking days of fierce backlash.

He apologised for making "rude" comments about the former-Labour MP but said his remarks "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

The prime minister called the comments "racist" and "wrong" but argued Mr Hester's apology should be accepted.

Speaking on Politics Midlands, Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana claimed the Conservative Party would not give up the cash, thought to be at least £10m, because it formed a large part of its election war chest.

"I think they should actually donate it to charities that Diane chooses, which would include charities that campaign against racism," she said.

Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana said the Conservative Party should give the donations to anti-racism charities

Ms Sultana described Ms Abbott as her close friend and a trail-blazer in Parliament.

The Coventry MP added the 70-year-old should be given the Labour whip back.

Ms Abbott was suspended from sitting in the parliamentary party in 2023 after she said Irish, Jewish and Traveller people were not subject to racism "all their lives".

She withdrew her remarks and apologised "for any anguish caused".

After the pair sat next to each other in parliament this week, Ms Sultana said it was unacceptable that Ms Abbott was not called to speak as the row was discussed in a fiery Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session on Wednesday.

During the debate, Mr Sunak rejected repeated requests to hand back Mr Hester's donations.

Meanwhile the Coventry MP said Labour chiefs needed to help protect Ms Abbott from a "torrent of abuse".

As PMQs finished Sir Keir Starmer approached Ms Abbott at the back of the chamber.

In the conversation, Ms Abbott reportedly repeatedly asked Sir Keir to restore her party whip. He is reported to have responded: "I understand."

Eddie Hughes, the Conservative MP for Walsall North, said he thought Frank Hester should be forgiven

Eddie Hughes, the Conservative MP for Walsall North, said Mr Hester should be forgiven.

He said there was no suggestion the remarks were anything other than an isolated incident.

"I certainly wouldn't want people judging me," Mr Hughes said.

"I'm sure we've all said things in our background we have had to apologise for or have been taken out of context.

"Sometimes we need to appreciate that if there is a one-off event like this... then I think forgiveness is the right approach."

Watch Politics Midlands on BBC One in the West Midlands at 10:00 GMT on Sunday. The show will be available on the iPlayer afterwards.

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