Leeds Pride ends TPP sponsorship deal over founder's alleged racism

Frank Hester's company has been dropped by Leeds Pride

Leeds Pride has axed a sponsorship deal with Tory donor Frank Hester's company after the businessman allegedly made racist comments about a black MP.

Organisers of the Leeds Pride event, which celebrates LGBTQ+ culture, said it was "discontinuing" its partnership with The Phoenix Partnership (TPP).

TPP founder Mr Hester reportedly said MP Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and "should be shot".

The BBC has contacted TPP, which is based in Leeds, for comment.

Last month West Yorkshire Police said it was investigating Mr Hester's remarks, allegedly made during a meeting at his company's Leeds HQ in 2019, to establish whether "a crime has been committed".

Leeds Pride said it was now "imperative it reassess its association" with Mr Hester.

A statement posted on Leeds Pride's social media said: "The decision to terminate the sponsorship agreement underscores the organisation's dedication to upholding the values of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond."

It went on to acknowledge the concerns raised by members of the community and "assert its position" as an advocate for inclusivity.

Leeds Pride said it wished to "reassess its association" with TPP

Mr Hester, who gave the Tories £10m last year, has previously apologised for his comments, which were first reported by The Guardian newspaper.

He admitted making "rude" remarks about Ms Abbott but said they "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

Mr Hester is the founder and chief executive of TPP, which specialises in providing healthcare technology and is a supplier of records management systems to the NHS.

One of the Conservative Party's biggest donors, he donated £5m to the party last year, with a further £5m donated through his company.

A previous TPP statement said: "The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s.

"He rang Diane Abbott... to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks."

It added: "He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life."

Responding to the story on X at the time, Ms Abbott, who was Britain's first black female MP, said she was "quite upset" and felt "less safe".