Extremism and Hester: Will Conservative Party apply new definition? 

EMBARGO: For Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to Conservative Party Chair Richard Holden over the £10m donation from Frank Hester and the government's new extremism definition.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper asked whether the Conservative Party will apply the new definition of extremism to its engagement with outside groups and individuals including party donors. She added that this would surely mean returning the £10m donation from Frank Hester and ruling out taking any more donations from him in future.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

“Frank Hester’s alleged remarks were hateful and racist, and suggested that an MP should be shot. With all their talk of stamping out extremism, the Conservative Party’s refusal to hand back his £10m donation is completely untenable.

“The Conservative Party need to confirm if they will adopt the government’s new definition of extremism. If they do, that would surely leave them with no choice but to return this tainted money. If not, it shows once again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for us. 

“Every day this goes on, this scandal shows how Rishi Sunak’s government has lost its moral compass and is totally unfit to govern the country.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Dear Richard Holden, Conservative Party Chairman.

I am writing to you concerning the government’s updated definition of extremism, and whether this will be adopted by the Conservative Party in its engagement with outside groups and individuals including party donors.

As you will know, under the new definition extremism is defined as "the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance.” This would surely include the alleged comments made by Conservative donor Frank Hester about Diane Abbott, in which he reportedly said she “should be shot” and made him “want to hate all black women.”

As Party Chairman, I would urge you to provide clarity over the following questions

1. Will the Conservative Party be applying the government’s new definition of extremism to its own interactions with outside groups and individuals including party donors?

2. Will the Conservative Party rule out taking any donations from groups or individuals defined as extremists?

3. If Frank Hester’s alleged comments are deemed to fall within the new definition of extremism, will the Conservative Party return the £10 million he has donated and rule out taking any more donations from him?

Given the widespread concern about the possible impact of this new definition, the public has a right to know whether the Conservative Party will be applying these new rules itself.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader