I Diane Abbott finds it alarming to hear the remarks made by Conservative Party donor Frank Hester about her – live updates on politics in the UK.

According to Diane Abbott, racism is an unacceptable issue in society that should not be tolerated.

The Guardian newspaper has asked me to confirm that I made the same remarks at a meeting five years ago which they reported on yesterday, where I was accurately quoted as saying “I abhor racism”. They are claiming that I also told staff:

I believe that racism is fueled by a strong dislike and fear of those who are different from oneself. This also applies to homophobia, as it is not solely based on skin color or religion but can extend to those from neighboring countries or even within one’s own country. This can be seen with the tension between northerners and southerners in our community.

I verify that this accurately represents my stance against discrimination towards others based on their race, religion, gender, sexuality, or geography. Such acts of racism are repugnant and repulsive, and have no rightful place in society.

The UK benefits immensely from the rich diversity of people – like my parents – who had roots in another land, religion and culture. We should celebrate those differences which have made us the world’s most successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy. And we should have the confidence to discuss our differences openly and even playfully without seeking to cause offence.

Yesterday afternoon, Hester released a statement about the story on X following the initial report published by the Guardian.

The entire text of the speech can be found here, including a portion where Coutinho states that this policy does not violate the UK’s net zero commitments.

There are two justifications for why supporting gas does not contradict our top-ranked goal of achieving net zero emissions.

Initially, we anticipate that all upcoming gas power plants will be constructed with the capability to operate at net zero emissions.

This indicates that businesses need to construct power plants that are capable of incorporating carbon capture technology or can be adapted to use hydrogen instead of natural gas.

Furthermore, with the increasing development of low-carbon energy sources and long-term storage solutions, these gas power plants will operate less frequently without emissions control measures.

However, as we introduce additional adaptable sources, we will not take any chances.

Over the last six months, we have faced criticism for scaling back our net zero initiatives.

Let me address this directly: Britain is the prime example of achieving net zero.

Our emission of greenhouse gases has decreased by half since 1990.

We have achieved the most out of the top 20 biggest economies globally.

Yet many experts and campaigners do not accept this analysis.

Rebecca Newsom, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said:

This recent declaration should be interpreted as a show of favor towards the gas industry. It highlights the control that the fossil fuel sector maintains over the government’s choices and the incapability of ministers to uphold the policies they have pledged.

Coutinho has not presented a strategy for managing gas plant emissions beyond 2035, but the government is aiming for a carbon-free power system by that same year. This inconsistency raises some questions.

According to Stuart Haszeldine, a professor from Edinburgh University who specializes in carbon capture and storage,

The UK’s goal of achieving carbon-free electricity by 2035 is now in jeopardy.

Constructing new gas-powered plants without any infrastructure for transporting and storing CO2 is reckless. It not only relinquishes our role as a global leader, but also regresses the UK’s efforts in combatting climate change.

Prof Jim Watson, director of the Institute for Sustainable Resources at University College London (UCL), stated:

Constructing additional power plants that utilize “natural gas” is not the appropriate strategy for achieving balance between supply and demand in a decarbonized electricity industry. The UK currently has a considerable amount of these types of facilities.

Instead, the priority should be on updating certain newer plants to utilize green hydrogen (generated from renewable sources), or equipping them with carbon capture and storage mechanisms. Both choices are currently feasible.

The Science Media Centre has released a diverse array of responses from scholars here.

According to the Labour party, allowing individuals to reduce their prison sentence by two months is the most extreme method of early release ever seen in England and Wales.

According to a report from PA Media, Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, declared yesterday that there will be an expansion of the maximum period of custody supervised licence (ECSL) from 18 days to 60 days. This decision aims to alleviate the issue of prison overcrowding. PA reports.

The government has asserted that the action will have a limited duration and solely pertain to individuals referred to as “low-level offenders”.

Chalk issued a written statement to Parliament after 8pm, which Labour criticized as “insufficient” considering the seriousness of the situation. He will also be present in the House of Commons this afternoon to provide an update to MPs.

Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the extension as “unprecedented.”

In response to Chalk’s statement during the Commons meeting, she asserted that this is the most extreme form of releasing prisoners early that the country has ever experienced. Despite Chalk’s 11-page and 10-minute statement, she only dedicated one paragraph to discussing it.

This decision will have significant impact and cause great worry among our nation, yet the secretary of state believes a subtle written statement released late last night and a brief paragraph today is sufficient – but it is not.

The Member of Parliament for the Labour Party presented several inquiries to her counterpart, such as the total number of individuals who have been freed through the program, which correctional facilities are implementing it, and if those convicted of domestic abuse and stalking are qualified according to its conditions.

Mahmood commented, “The government has repeatedly denied requests for transparency regarding the extent and consequences of this program. This approach is not acceptable for operating the criminal justice system or governing the nation.”

Chalk declined to answer her questions but assured that the government is committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard the public.

The scheme announced by Downing Street will only be in place for a limited time, but they have not given a specific date for when it will come to an end.

When asked about the duration of the measure, the prime minister’s spokesperson stated that they are unable to provide a specific timeline. However, it is evident that it is a temporary measure. The decision to implement it will vary depending on the circumstances of each governor.

The most recent data from the Ministry of Justice shows that as of 8 March, there were 88,220 individuals in prison. The maximum capacity of the prison is slightly above 89,000.

12pm with the full quote.

She was banned from the Labour party in parliament after writing a letter to the Observer which implied that antisemitism is not as significant as the discrimination faced by black individuals, and that it is more comparable to bias.

When asked about reinstating Abbott, Shami Chakrabarti stated on World at One that she is hopeful that Keir Starmer’s recognition today of Abbott as a “trailblazer” (see 10.13am) might contribute to her regaining the whip. Chakrabarti mentioned:

I have no desire to meddle in the conversations [Abbott] needs to have with the labor whips.

However, I paid close attention to our leader Keir Starmer’s words about Diana, the pioneer, and the challenges she has faced.

I trust that this will be considered along with her timely and genuine apologies for the letter.

According to a 2017 report by Amnesty International, Abbott faced a higher amount of online abuse compared to other parliament members.

She’s anxious and she’s upset but, as she always does, she’s putting a brave face on and trying not to worry her friends. But I have to say my heart is pounding, and I’m really upset and anxious on her behalf.

Hester has released a statement acknowledging that he was “discourteous” towards Abbott during a personal meeting, but maintains that “his critique was not related to her gender or racial background.”

According to the BBC, a representative for Hester has stated that this should not be considered as proof that Hester actually said the words attributed to him. However, Hester has also not refuted saying those words.

a lengthy statement saying this move confirmed that Tory voters feel let down by the government. It also said government messaging was now increasingly implausible. It said:

Our recent survey results reveal the public’s opinion on our performance since the year 2019. It is no longer feasible for us to claim that “the strategy is successful”. Immediate action is necessary to alter our direction.

At No 10, they either did not get the message, or are ignoring it. Downing Street has sent out its readout from this morning’s cabinet meeting and it shows that Rishi Sunak remains very committed to the line that his plan is working. A No 10 spokesperson said:

The prime minister asked the work and pensions secretary for an update on today’s labour market statistics. He said the stats showed the plan is working, with payroll employment at a record high, real wages growing for seven months in a row, and our inactivity rate is below the US, France, and Italy.

The prime minister discussed progress in efforts to reduce crime and improve street safety. He reported that our current measures against crime and disruptive behavior have been effective, resulting in a 50% decrease in violent and neighborhood crime since 2010. He also announced plans to construct 20,000 new prisons, the most significant initiative since the Victorian era, which he funded during his time as chancellor.

The readout from No 10 states that James Cleverly, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, informed the cabinet that there has been an increase in police recruitment, overall crime rates have decreased, and more foreign offenders have been deported. Additionally, Alex Chalk, the Secretary of State for Justice, informed colleagues that the rate of reoffending by former prisoners has decreased from 31% in 2010 to 25%. This is a result of efforts to ensure that prisoners who are released have a place to stay and a job, leading to a doubling in the number of offenders employed six months after their release, according to No 10.

Diane Abbott credited Frank Hester with making clearly discriminatory and offensive remarks. However, Hester claimed he was not aware if he had actually used those specific words.

Speaking on the BBC’s Politics Live, Kwarteng said:

The remarks are blatantly discriminatory on the basis of race and gender.

I believe that Diane Abbott’s observation on the inappropriateness of promoting violence, even in a casual manner, is accurate. Therefore, the remarks made were extremely foolish.

I don’t know that they were said because I haven’t heard an independent corroboration … So I’d want to hear a recording, if there is one, get a bit more colour. But clearly what’s been reported is racist, sexist and totally unacceptable.

Hester released a statement acknowledging his rudeness regarding Abbott during a private meeting, but clarifying that his criticism was not based on her gender or race.

The comments made by Diane Abbott were deemed “clearly unacceptable,” however, the individual declined to state whether they were discriminatory.

When questioned about the remarks, the spokesperson stated:

I typically refrain from commenting on unconfirmed statements, secondary reports, and similar sources.

However, as mentioned by Minister Graham Stuart at 10:01am this morning, the reported remarks are completely unacceptable.

The spokesperson refused to be drawn on why they were unacceptable, adding: “I don’t have anything to add beyond what minister Stuart said this morning.”

Hester has released a statement in which he acknowledges that he was impolite in a private meeting when discussing Abbott. However, he maintains that his critique was not based on her gender or race.

At 10:01am, the term was used by William Hague, who is a former leader and foreign secretary for the Conservative party. He mentioned it during an interview on Times Radio.

His comments do seem to be racist, I don’t think I could deny that, honestly .. Connecting dislike of Diane Abbott with racial characteristics, well, that is racist.

However, Hague also acknowledged Hester’s apology and commended him for learning from his mistake of making such comments.

Gavin Barwell, previously a government official and currently a member of the House of Lords, is a Conservative party member who has denounced Hester’s remarks as racist. He shared his thoughts about the official CCHQ response to the situation on platform X.

Hester did not provide criticism of Diane Abbott’s views. He simply expressed his thoughts upon seeing her on television. Additionally, his statement clearly involved her gender and race, as he mentioned both aspects.

This is an example of 1.0 racism and sexism – he has a negative opinion of Diane, and as a result, he is more likely to hold negative views towards other black women.

My sympathies go out to @HackneyAbbott who has had to endure this situation for her whole life.

Hester has issued a statement saying he accepts he was “rude” about Abbott in a private meeting, but that “his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.

During his interview this morning, Lee Anderson announced his intention to join Reform UK. Stuart predicted that Anderson would not remain with the party for very long. In an interview with GB News, Stuart stated:

Lee Anderson is visible on the stage with his recent leader, his annoyance barely concealed. It is uncertain how long their pleasant period will endure.

Esther McVey, a minister, informed reporters before entering Downing Street for this morning’s cabinet meeting that she believed Anderson, previously a Labour councillor who is now a Tory MP, had come back to where he began. She clarified:

To be honest, I am slightly let down and taken aback by Lee’s choice.

After supporting Jeremy Corbyn during the 2017 campaign, he has come back around and will now be campaigning for Keir Starmer. He even stated that voting for Reform is essentially a vote for Labour. It was a mistake on my part to think otherwise.

The remarks made by Frank Hester. In them, she stated:

It is scary. I reside in Hackney and do not own a car, therefore I often rely on public transportation or walking to get around on weekends, more so than most Members of Parliament.

As a lone female, I am inherently susceptible. However, to hear someone speak in such a manner is concerning.

Throughout my time as an MP, I have prioritized breaking out of my own social bubble and actively engaging with everyday individuals. The unfortunate reality of two MPs being killed in the past few years only heightens the gravity of discussions like these.

I am not currently a member of the parliamentary Labour party, but I am still a member of the Labour party. Therefore, I am seeking public support from Keir Starmer.

Her division paid a sum of £15,000 as compensation to a scholarly individual who was falsely accused by Donelan on the topic of X.

She mentioned that it would have been more appropriate for her to address her academic concerns privately rather than publicly. She also expressed regret for not doing so.

Donelan informed the committee that, in her role as the UK Minister responsible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), she was made aware by officials of a tweet stating, “This is concerning – Suella Braverman advocates for police action against Hamas support in the UK.” The tweet was shared by a member of the UKRI EDI (equality, diversity, and inclusion) board, according to Donelan.

She went on:

During that period, I was greatly worried about a potential issue with the selection process for members of the EDI board. I collaborated with officials and lawyers in my department for two days to prepare, review, and submit a formal letter to UKRI’s CEO requesting an inquiry to be conducted.

The highlighting was done with the same tool that was initially utilized, specifically X or commonly referred to as Twitter.

Donelan said the letter prompted an investigation. She said the person involved, Prof Kate Sang at Heriot-Watt university in Edinburgh, subsequently confirmed that her “this is disturbing” comment was about the whole article she referenced, not just the headline about the Hamas crackdown.

Donelan stated that she has retracted all of her previously expressed concerns and a settlement of £15,000 has been made. She further stated:

The department’s accounting officer authorized the legal expenses.

Although I typically prioritize transparency, I have come to understand that I could have kept this letter confidential and allowed the UKRI to investigate privately. I apologize for not doing so and for causing a distraction from the government’s positive agenda.

Diane Abbott was to black Britons, and quite what a significant role she played in “our own island story”. Here are the main quotes from his interview.

• When Kasumu told followers that many black Britons, regardless of party politics, felt insulted

  Kasumu stated that a large number of black British individuals, irrespective of their political affiliations, felt personally affronted by the remark made about Abbott. He elaborated by saying that when he conveyed this to his followers, it was well-received that many black Britons felt offended regardless of their political stance.

It is of note that Diane Abbott, a black British woman, holds great historical significance. She was first elected in 1987, the same year I was born.

If Diane Abbott hadn’t supported me, I wouldn’t have held a special advisor role in Downing Street. The success of Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Kwasi Kwarteng, and David Lammy can also be attributed to Diane Abbott. When she is criticized, it affects many black Britons.

Her historical significance evokes a feeling of pain within us. Despite our differing political views, she symbolizes the progress that allows people like me to thrive. Those who view her as an easy target may not fully comprehend her influential role in our island’s narrative.

Kasumu stated that he initially did not wish to conduct an interview on this subject. However, he had a change of heart when he realized the significance of this matter to his wife, who is of African descent. He elaborated:

After informing her about the spoken words and witnessing her reaction, I realized it was my duty to raise my voice and emphasize that words of this nature hold weight and are completely unacceptable.

Recently, two members of parliament, who were highly regarded, were unfortunately killed. This highlights the importance of our words. Someone like Mr. Hester must understand that whether we are in a casual setting or in a professional environment, our statements hold weight and his remarks were utterly repulsive and not acceptable.

Someone in their position should take more action. They should participate in finding solutions to unite our country, heal divisions, and address issues of racism and misogyny, among others.

He must be a leader who is perceived as having learned from his mistake. Additionally, he should be someone who is actively investing in ensuring our country’s continued prosperity and journey towards greater unity.

He will need to do more than attempt to contact Diane Abbott. He must spend his time, energy, and money to be a contributing factor to the solution, as he is currently contributing to the issue.

• Kasumu refused to support demands for the Conservative party to give back the £10 million donation from Hester, stating that he considers this matter to be insignificant. When asked if the funds should be returned, he responded:

To me, this is not significant. The monetary transaction was not based on any possible comments he may have made in the past. I do not want us to be diverted by the potential fate of the money. Our priority should be addressing the ongoing issue of racism in our nation.

• He praised Rishi Sunak for his “excellent” speech on extremism two weeks ago, but said “far more needs to be done”.

Hester has issued a statement saying he accepts he was “rude” about Abbott in a private meeting, but that “his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.

The businessman will be giving back £10 million to the Conservatives.

The leader of the Labour party criticized a minister who refused to expand on their statement only labeling Frank Hester’s remarks as “completely unacceptable” when questioned about them during morning interviews. (Refer to 10:01 am.)

The head of the Labour Party informed ITV’s Lorraine during an interview on Tuesday.

The remarks concerning Diane Abbott are utterly repulsive.

Diane has been a pioneer, paving the way for others, and likely enduring more criticism than any other politician consistently over the years.

I apologize for pretending that the offensive statement made this morning was not racially motivated or related to the person’s gender. I cannot accept that reasoning and I believe it is necessary for the Tory Party to publicly condemn it and return any donations received.

Hester released a declaration in which he acknowledged that his language towards Abbott in a personal meeting was “impolite”, but denied any relation to her gender or race.

There was a recent news regarding the construction of new gas-powered power plants. However, the individual involved, inevitably, received inquiries about the Guardian’s headline on Frank Hester, the major contributor to the Conservative party.

In summary, the Guardian stated that during a meeting at their company’s headquarters in 2019, Hester discussed an executive from a different organization.

She’s shit. She’s the shittest person. Honestly I try not to be sexist but when I meet somebody like [the executive], I just …

It’s like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV and you’re just like, I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she’s there, and I don’t hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot.

Following the publication of the story, Hester released a statement acknowledging that he was “discourteous” towards Abbott during a private meeting. However, he clarified that his criticism was not related to her gender or race.

According to the BBC, a representative for Hester clarifies that this should not be interpreted as Hester confirming that he said the quoted words. However, Hester has also not refuted saying those words.

Stuart has provided the following points in response to inquiries about this narrative.

• Stuart did not categorize Hester’s remarks as racist, describing them instead as “completely unacceptable.” When questioned on Times Radio about their potential racial implications, Stuart chose not to label them as such.

I consider it completely unacceptable. I am reluctant to use that specific label for it. I am hesitant to refer to it as such because I prefer not to pass judgment on these matters.

It was obviously an absurd statement, and he has appropriately apologized for it. Furthermore, he is actively endorsing the most varied cabinet that the Conservative Party has ever seen. Notably, our largest contributor is also a Hindu who is currently serving as prime minister. Therefore, I do not believe that this individual holds racist beliefs.

However, I have not personally encountered him and have no familiarization with him. All I am aware of is that his remarks were not suitable and incorrect, and he has attempted to make amends with Diane Abbott in private.

• Stuart stated that individuals should not face repercussions in their public lives for past comments and he did not believe that the Conservative Party should refund his donations. When questioned on Sky News about the party’s receipt of £10m from Hester, Stuart responded:

We cannot exclude someone from taking part in public activities or making donations to parties simply because they have made inappropriate or incorrect statements in the past.

Although I am not the one making the decision, I do appreciate those who endorse the Conservative party.

During his recent interview on Today, Stuart reiterated his stance that he would not condone “cancelling” someone for something they said five years ago.

Our priority is to demonstrate understanding. It is noteworthy that he has apologized and I believe he was correct in doing so. However, I am not certain about the exact words he used. This is certainly not a matter we should take pride in.

This is the schedule for today.

Rishi Sunak leads a cabinet meeting in the morning, which includes a session specifically focused on political matters.

At 10:15 in the morning, Richard Hughes, the chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility, presents testimony to the Treasury committee in the Commons regarding the budget. At 2:15 in the afternoon, Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Torsten Bell, the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, also provide evidence.

At 11am, Michelle Donelan, the secretary of science, will be providing testimony to the Science Committee in the House of Lords.

At 11:30 in the morning, Downing Street conducts a press briefing.

At 1:30 PM, Claire Countinho, the secretary of energy, delivers a speech at the Energy Transitions Conference hosted by Chatham House.

At 3:10 in the afternoon, David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, answers inquiries in the House of Lords.

At approximately 4pm, peers begin discussing the third and final reading of the bill concerning the safety of Rwanda, specifically its policies on asylum and immigration.

Unfortunately, we will need to disable comments, at least for the beginning of the day. The Hester story is generating numerous offensive or potentially offensive comments, which makes moderation challenging.

If you wish to reach out to me, please use the “send us a message” function located below the author’s name. It can be found on the left side of the screen if you are using a laptop or desktop. This feature is specifically for those who want to directly message me. I find it immensely helpful when readers point out any mistakes or typos. I also often find your questions intriguing. While I cannot guarantee a response to all messages, I will try to reply to as many as possible. This may be done either by commenting below, privately (if you provide an email address), or as a new blog post if the topic is of interest to a wider audience.

Source: theguardian.com