As a person of colour, I, like many others, have shared the outrage provoked by Frank Hester’s comments and the much longer history of racism apparent in everyday life. I also share Diane Abbott’s view that politicians of all political hues have failed to tackle racism in politics (Frank Hester’s ugly words about me are a reminder: all parties, including Labour, must stand against racism, 13 March).
I recently left the role of lay member on the select committee on standards in Westminster. In 2022, I championed the idea, for the first time, of providing customised descriptions of how the Nolan principles should apply to MPs. I was proud of the committee’s decision to propose including in the “leadership” descriptor that MPs should “exemplify anti-discriminatory attitudes in their own behaviour”.
I was able to gain support from lay members on the committee for an amendment to be tabled on the floor of the house that members, given their significant leadership role in society, should set an example of anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours through the promotion of anti-racism attitudes, inclusion and diversity. These values were also supported by Lord Evans, the chair of the committee on standards in public life.
It was disappointing that neither the substantive motion nor the amendment was supported by the government. This was not, as some argued at the time, about requiring MPs to follow a “woke agenda”, but simply a decent, respectable and honest guide to behaviour.
Parliaments often introduce codes of conduct as a reaction to a seminal moment. In 1994, the “cash for questions” affair, where some MPs had accepted payments in exchange for tabling questions, acted as a catalyst for fundamental change in the way standards and conduct matters were addressed. Hester’s racist comments should be another seminal moment for all parties to stand against racism and demonstrate this in their words and actions.
Dr Arun Midha
Former lay member, House of Commons select committee on standards
• As local residents and previous officers in Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour party, we write, in a personal capacity, in solidarity with the constituency’s MP, Diane Abbott. The appalling racist and misogynist comments by the leading Tory donor Frank Hester were shocking, especially as they came after the murder of Jo Cox MP and two years before the brutal killing of the Tory MP Sir David Amess (Biggest Tory donor said looking at Diane Abbott makes you ‘want to hate all black women’, 11 March). But the vile remarks were also sadly unsurprising. Hester’s alleged comments are yet another example – and by no means the most extreme – of the abuse that Diane has endured over the past four decades in politics.
The failure thus far of the Conservative party to sever its links with Hester and to return the millions it has received from him suggests that Rishi Sunak’s supposed concern with “extremism” is so much hypocritical cant. We believe there is a case for an independent investigation into the award of lucrative NHS and other public sector contracts to Hester’s company.
No politician’s record is perfect, but throughout her time as our MP, Diane has been a champion of the most marginalised and of workers’ rights, as NHS staff, Royal Mail workers, rail workers and teachers will attest. We call on Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour leadership to offer her their unequivocal public support and, nearly a year after her suspension, to reinstate Diane as a Labour MP with immediate effect.
George Binette Former trade union liaison officer, Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour party (HNSNLP), Cllr Soraya Adejare Brownswood ward, Hackney council; former vice-chair, membership, HNSLP, Cllr Fliss Premru Clissold ward, Hackney council; Former general meeting delegate, HNSNLP, Amanda Bentham Former vice-chair, membership, HNSNLP, Thomas Glasman Former secretary, HNSNLP, Mike Hart Former social media officer, HNSNLP, Elizabeth Henton Former assistant secretary, HNSNLP, Kathryn Johnson Former policy officer and Labour group observer, HNSNLP, Sue Millman Former chair, HNSNLP, Margaret Renn Former secretary, Clissold branch; general meeting delegate, Lucie J Scott Former vice-chair, campaigns, HNSNLP, John Stewart Former representative, affiliated trade Unions, HNSNLP
• Your editorial (The Guardian view on Tory donor race row: return the money, end the relationship, 12 March) speculates about the influence that Frank Hester’s donation might have on the government’s response to attempts by the House of Lords to impose new standards on NHS IT providers. This is the real scandal – that we have a system where it seems perfectly acceptable for government contractors to give money to the government which is charged with monitoring such contracts and assuring value for money. If we saw such practices in an African country, the overseas development division of the Foreign Office would be sent to wag its finger.
Richard Henderson
Bristol
• I have to agree with the Tory minister Kevin Hollinrake that returning Frank Hester’s donation is not “the right thing to do”. Hester would get a £10m reward for bad behaviour. The moral thing to do would be to pass his donations on to an anti-racism charity.
Peter Williams
Stockport, Greater Manchester
• How about distributing the £10m between charities specifically dealing with women’s issues (whisper it, even black women).
Ariella Lister
London
• As NHS GPs with leadership roles in the use of digital technology in general practice, we were horrified to read your report of Frank Hester’s alleged remarks about Diane Abbott. Many of us use technology provided by his company, TPP, on a daily basis and have working relationships with his staff. We are writing in our personal capacities to make clear that his alleged comments were racist and have no place in the NHS or any workplace. Our thoughts are with all those of black and minority ethnic backgrounds who work in, and rely on, our NHS.
Dr Ed Turnham Chief clinical information officer (CCIO), Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), Dr Minal Bakhai North West London ICB, Dr Karl Bennett Digital and transformation lead, Frimley ICB, Dr Osman Bhatti CCIO, North East London ICB, Dr Martin Edobor Clinical lead, IT and digital transformation (Newham), North East London ICB, Dr Shanker Vijay Borough IT lead (Ealing), North West London ICB, Dr Pritpal Ruprai Borough IT lead (Hammersmith & Fulham), North West London ICB, Dr Sadhia Khan Borough IT lead (central London), North West London ICB, Dr Kambiz Boomla Medical director, Discovery Data Service, NHS North East London, Dr Alistair Walling Ashfield Medical Centre
