Tech CEO’s Racist Remarks About Black British Politician Spark Outrage
Tech founder and major political donor Frank Hester reportedly said that looking at Diane Abbott, Britain’s longest-serving Black Member of Parliament (MP), made him “want to hate all Black women” and that she “should be shot.”
Hester, the founder and CEO of software company The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), donated £10 million ($12.8 million) to the Conservative Party last year.
What Happened?
The Guardian reports that Hester made the remarks about Abbott during a 2019 meeting. His comments have sparked widespread outcry, raising serious questions about racism within the tech industry and its leadership.
Despite his assertion that he does not hate all Black women, his statement, “You just want to hate all Black women because she’s there,” has been widely condemned as racist and unacceptable.
TPP is a significant player in the UK’s healthcare technology sector, valued at $1 billion. Since 2016, it has received over £400 million ($512 million) from the National Health Service (NHS) and other government bodies.
Hester’s net worth is estimated at £415 million ($531 million). His influence is further underscored by his £10 million ($12.8 million) donation to the Conservative Party, making him the party’s largest donor.
The Concerns About Hester
This connection has led the opposition party, Labour, to call for the return of Hester’s donation, citing his remarks as grounds for reconsideration.
In a meeting addressing allegations of racism, Hester reportedly said, “We take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corners.”
This comment, alongside his remarks about Abbott, has raised significant concerns about the workplace culture at TPP and Hester’s professionalism.
A TPP statement claims Hester’s comments about Abbott were “rude” but unrelated to her race or gender.
It further highlights Hester’s attempt to apologize directly to Abbott and his condemnation of racism, citing his own experiences as the child of Irish immigrants.
His lawyers cite Hester’s past support for Rishi Sunak, Britain’s first Hindu prime minister of Indian heritage, and TPP’s diverse workforce as evidence of his commitment to diversity.
However, this does little to assuage concerns raised by his statements and the reported workplace environment at TPP.
