Police investigating Frank Hester comments about Diane Abbott

West Yorkshire Police are investigating alleged racist comments made by Tory party donor Frank Hester about Diane Abbott at a meeting in 2019.

The force said it was working to establish whether a crime had been committed after the businessman allegedly said that Ms Abbott, Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot".

The investigation was passed over from the Metropolitan Police as the meeting took place in Horsforth, Leeds.

Tory donor Frank Hester, pictured here speaking at a Commonwealth Business Forum event in Rwanda, has said he is “deeply sorry” after reportedly saying that former Labour MP Diane Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”. Photo: CHOGM Rwanda 2022/YouTube/PA Wire.

A spokesperson said officers were now "working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed".

They added that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on March 11 about a report in The Guardian, and that this was the first time the comments had been brought to the attention of police.

The force said: "We recognise the strong reaction to these allegations and appreciate everyone who has contacted us since the article was published.

"As we continue our inquiry, we are keen to hear from anyone who could directly assist our investigation."

Any information can be reported through 101 or via the West Yorkshire Police website, using reference number 13240137018 or quoting "Operation Brassminster".

Mr Hester has apologised for making "rude" comments about Ms Abbott, but claimed they had "nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

Get the latest news, straight to your inbox, with The Scotsman Today newsletter

Rishi Sunak has been criticised for his handling of the fallout from the emergence of Mr Hester's alleged comments.

The Prime Minister eventually condemned the remarks as "racist", but only after Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch broke ranks with Downing Street to call them out as such.

Mr Sunak has resisted previous calls to pay back Mr Hester's money and argued that the healthcare tech entrepreneur's "remorse should be accepted".

Reports emerged last week that Mr Hester may have offered £5 million more, which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission.

Ms Abbott has said "no Conservative has apologised" to her after the emergence of the remarks.

The veteran MP told Channel 4 News: "They keep saying that the Hester guy, he's apologised. He's not apologised. He's apologised for being rude, whereas in fact he was racist, and he's not apologised for that.

"In fact, he was inciting violence. He's not apologised for that."