Tory Donor’s Company Paid Conservative Peer for Trade Envoy Role: Further Links to Party Revealed

Frank Hester, a Tory donor whose recent remarks about Diane Abbott have sparked widespread condemnation as racist, has been further linked to the Conservative Party through his company’s dealings. The Guardian has uncovered that Hester’s company paid Conservative peer Zahida Manzoor £148,000 to serve as a trade envoy. Manzoor, a former deputy chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, took on the role of chair of a Middle East advisory council for Hester’s health tech company, TPP, from September 2016 to September 2017.

This revelation sheds light on Hester’s longstanding ties to the Conservatives, as Manzoor’s role was declared in the register of members’ interests at the time. Despite her association with TPP, Manzoor joined the chorus of voices condemning Hester’s recent remarks, stating that she did not witness any racism during her tenure at the company.

Hester’s significant financial contributions to the Conservative Party, totaling £10 million over the past year, along with reports of additional undisclosed donations, underscore his close ties to the party. Additionally, Hester reportedly arranged for Conservative MP Rishi Sunak to visit TPP’s offices for a private tour last November.

Manzoor’s political affiliation also shifted during her time with TPP, as she transitioned from being unaffiliated after resigning from the Liberal Democrat whip over Brexit to joining the Conservative Party three weeks after taking on the role with TPP.

Manzoor clarified that her departure from TPP in June 2017 was a result of a mutual agreement due to the company’s decision to shift its focus to China rather than the Middle East. She emphasized that her remuneration was a contractual matter between herself and TPP.

When questioned about Hester’s remarks regarding Diane Abbott, Manzoor condemned the language used, emphasizing that such language is unacceptable under any circumstances. However, she stated that she did not personally witness any comments of that nature during her time at TPP.

In light of the recent controversy, the British Medical Association’s general practice committee has urged Hester to resign from TPP, citing concerns that his remarks may contravene NHS England’s fit and proper person test.

Manzoor also commented on the issue of further NHS contracts for TPP, emphasizing the importance of applying the fit and proper test when awarding contracts. She suggested periodic re-evaluation of the test, particularly during contract renewals or if new information comes to light.

Finally, Manzoor stated that any donations to the Conservative Party are a matter for the party itself.

TPP has been contacted for comment on these revelations.