The Speaker of the Commons in the UK has come under fire after he failed to call on Diane Abbott during a debate about the racist remarks that had been directed at her by a major donor to the Conservative Party.
Frank Hester’s alleged comments, including that looking at Abbott made him want “to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”, were the topic of debate during Wednesday’s session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Despite rising out of her seat more than 40 times during the debate to signal she wanted to ask a question, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle did not call on her to participate. Footage shows Abbott rising to her feet only to be ignored numerous times during the session.
In an op-ed she wrote for The Guardian, Abbott said: “I thought, in particular, that I would’ve been called on Wednesday, because Hester’s abusive comments about me had led the news bulletins that day, and I was referred to several times in PMQs itself.”
“I cannot say why Lindsay Hoyle would not call me. He claimed there wasn’t enough time after going through those listed on the order paper. But I’m not convinced – and, the truth is, he can call on whoever he likes.”
Abbott also posted on X, where she wrote: “I don’t know whose interests the Speaker thinks he is serving. But it is not the interests of the Commons or democracy.”
When Hester’s alleged comments were first revealed earlier this week, Abbott said that they were “frightening”.
“It is frightening,” Abbott said. “I live in Hackney and do not drive, so I find myself, at weekends, popping on a bus or even walking places more than most MPs.
“I am a single woman and that makes me vulnerable anyway. But to hear someone talking like this is worrying.”
Abbott became the first Black woman to be elected to the UK Parliament in 1987.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has so far resisted calls from the opposition to return the money – more than £10 million – that has been donated by Hester to the Conservative Party. Sunak said the comments were “wrong” and “racist” but that his “remorse should be accepted”.