The alleged comments made by Conservative Party donor Frank Hester towards MP Diane Abbott have caused widespread controversy, making headlines across the UK. The Guardian published an op-ed from Abbott in which she accuses the Conservative Party of “playing the race card” ahead of the election. Abbott cites the Rwanda asylum policy and the government’s increased focus on extremists as examples of this strategy. Abbott characterises this behaviour as a “new low” for the Conservative party.
The Daily Mirror reports on a new Hope Not Hate report that claims the Tories are “whipping up immigration fears in a bid to cling to power”. The i reports that Mr Hester donated more than £10m to the Conservative Party, a significant proportion of the £48m the party received in donations last year. Despite the uproar over his comments, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the party won’t be returning Hester’s contributions.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the UK government is preparing to cut funding for groups and organisations associated with non-violent extremism. The paper claims that this will include “Muslim groups that incite hatred and undermine democracy” and far-right organisations. Previously, these groups had been free to work with government, councils, police, universities, and others.
The Financial Times reports that the US held secret talks with Iran in January to try to persuade the Iranian government to stop Houthi rebels attacking shipping in the Red Sea. American and British naval forces retaliated with airstrikes after the October 7 attacks. The paper claims that Omani officials shuttled between the US and Iranian representatives in Oman during the talks, but that officials from the two countries never spoke directly
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