It has been four days since the Guardian reported on the extraordinary remarks by the Tory donor Frank Hester about Diane Abbott. They elicited widespread condemnation for being racist and misogynistic. Here are some of the key voices – and what they have said:
Diane Abbott MP
“Reading his remarks, I was upset but not surprised. This is partly because I am hardened to racist abuse. I receive hundreds of abusive emails, phone calls and letters monthly, and the numbers shoot up whenever I am in the media. Most of this correspondence targets my appearance, questions my intelligence and features classic racist lines such as: ‘go back to where you come from’. Recently, the abuse has taken an even darker turn, with accusations of child abuse. For instance: ‘If you and your child want to fuck children, go back to one of your sick third-world shitholes and bury yourself, sicko.’”
