Downing Street had initially refused to describe the language from party donor Frank Hester as racist
Kemi Badenoch has described the remarks made about Diane Abbott as ‘racist’ as Rishi Sunak is under pressure to condemn themRishi Sunak was forced to condemn remarks made by a Tory donor as racist after coming under pressure from his own ministers.
“The Prime Minister is clear there is no place for racism in public life and as the first British-Asian Prime Minister leading one of the most ethnically diverse Cabinets in our history, the UK is living proof of that fact.” “Abbott and I disagree on a lot. But the idea of linking criticism of her to being a black woman is appalling. It’s never acceptable to conflate someone’s views with the colour of their skin.”
Asked about No 10’s initial response, he added: “I don’t see how you can describe the comments as anything other than racist.” Tory MPs angry over the handling of the issue have raised the matter with the whips office, with one senior backbencher tellingMr Sunak was condemned just last month for refusing to say that comments made by former Tory chair Lee Anderson were Islamophobic or anti-Muslim racism.
“I live in Hackney and do not drive, so I find myself, at weekends, popping on a bus or even walking places more than most MPs. I am a single woman and that makes me vulnerable anyway.
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