Diane Abbott accuses Tories of aiming to play ‘race card’ before election

MP says abusive words of Tory donor Frank Hester did not surprise her and that Tories have run out of options

• Frank Hester's ugly words about me are a reminder: all parties, including Labour, must stand against racism

Diane Abbott has accused the Conservatives of aiming to play the race card" in the general election, saying the abuse she faced from Tory donor Frank Hester epitomised this approach.

In a comment piece for the Guardian, the veteran MP said Hester's remarks left her upset but not surprised", given the amount of racist abuse she receives. Hester said in a 2019 meeting that he did not hate all black women but seeing Abbott on TV meant you just want to hate all black women because she's there". He also said she should be shot".