Rishi Sunak appears to have ruled out returning money to a Tory donor who allegedly said Diane Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and “should be shot”. 

Asked at Prime Minister’s Questions by Labour MP Marsha De Cordova if he would hand back one of the specific donations from Frank Hester’s company – £15,900 covering a helicopter trip – Mr Sunak said “no”.

The prime minister added that he was “pleased” the businessman was supporting “one of the most diverse governments in this country’s history”.

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There were terse exchanges in the Commons as Mr Sunak faced increasing pressure to return the funds to Mr Hester and his healthcare software firm The Phoenix Partnership, who between them have donated £10m to the Conservatives since the 2019 election.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked “how low [Mr Hester] would have to sink” and “what racist, woman-hating threat of violence would he have to make” before Mr Sunak “plucked up the courage” to hand back the cash.

The prime minister echoed his statement from Tuesday night, calling the businessman’s alleged remarks “racist” and saying there was “no place for racism in Britain”.

Diane Abbott ‘frightened’ after alleged remarks from Tory donor – as ministers refuse to call his words ‘racist’

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Major Tory donor Frank Hester apologises to Diane Abbott over ‘reprehensible’ and ‘revolting’ comments

But he said Mr Hester had “apologised genuinely for his comments and that remorse should be accepted” – turning his ire on Sir Keir for supporting former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who he said “let antisemitism run rife” during his tenure.

Ms Abbott stood up to ask a question during PMQs but was not selected by the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle. Sky News has contacted the Speaker’s office for comment.

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