Tory race row deepens as minister says 'we'd take another £10m from donor'

RISHI SUNAK was hit by a growing storm today over the Tories being prepared to take another £10 million from the wealthy donor condemned for racism against Diane Abbott.

- Nicholas Cecil and Anthony France

Frank Hester said Ms Abbott, Britain’s longest-serving black MP, made him “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”.

Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake, on the morning media round for the Government, slammed Mr Hester’s comments as “racist” and “stupid”.

But asked on BBC Breakfast if the Tories would take another £10 million from him, Mr Hollinrake said: “On the basis that we don’t believe Mr Hester is racist, yes.”

He later appeared to row back from this position, saying it would be a “decision for others...based upon what has happened in recent days”. The minister also rebuffed calls to return Mr Hester’s previous donations of £10 million.

“I think his comments were clearly racist and wrong,” he told Sky News. “He has apologised for that. I don’t think that means Frank Hester is necessarily a racist.”

The Prime Minister yesterday evening finally condemned Mr Hester’s comments as “racist” after Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch broke ranks to brand them as such, while Downing Street and other ministers had for most of the day avoided using such a description.