THE deputy leader of the Scottish Tories has said she will seek clarification on reports of a further donation to the UK party from Frank Hester.
Hester has been under fire this week after alleged comments emerged appearing to show him insulting MP Diane Abbott, saying she “should be shot” and that she makes him “want to hate all black women”.
The alleged comments drew widespread criticism, with the Prime Minister describing them as “racist”, while opposition parties urged the Tories to hand back the donations.
READ MORE: Tories 'have extra undeclared £5 million from racism scandal donor'
Reports emerged on Thursday that the donor – who had already given £10 million to the party personally and through his firm The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) – may have given as much as £5m which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said she could not comment on the “unverified” donation, but that she would seek clarification from the UK Conservative Party on the reports.
“I’ve certainly not had the time from when I first read the story, which was late last evening, to this morning appearing on your programme,” she said.
“Certainly that can be something that we’ll look at.”
Asked if she would seek clarification on Friday, the deputy leader said: “Of course I will have a discussion about this, but again, it’s unverified and I can’t comment on unverified donations.”
When approached, the UK party did not deny the fresh donation, saying only that declarable donations will be published by the Electoral Commission “in the usual way”, with the next update due in June.
The Scottish Tories have also called for a “review” into the donations from Hester (above), with Gallacher looking to find out “what the party knew and how we can actually move forward”.
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