Cabinet minister Mark Harper denies Tories have a problem with race

Transport Secretary Mark Harper, a senior member of the UK Conservative Party, has rejected claims that the party has issues with racism.

This follows controversy over the party receiving at least £10 million in donations from Frank Hester, who has faced accusations of making racist remarks.

In a BBC interview, Harper highlighted the current cabinet's ethnic diversity and said the Conservative Party is open to all individuals who share its values, regardless of their race.

Despite criticism, Harper defended the decision not to refund Hester's donations and suggested accepting his apology for the offensive comments.

However, Samuel Kasumu, a former government advisor, expressed disappointment with Harper's defense and stressed that having diverse representation is not enough to address racial issues.

Baroness Warsi, a former Conservative Party chairperson, also criticized the party for accepting funds from individuals with alleged racist views, suggesting it tarnished the party's reputation.

The allegations against donor Hester stem from comments he reportedly made about Diane Abbott, a former Labour MP, during a company meeting. While Hester apologized and denied any racist intentions, his remarks have reignited discussions about racism within British politics.

Ex-Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman pointed out that racism still persists in politics and warned against complacency in addressing discrimination. Labour Party leaders, including Jonathan Ashworth, also emphasized the importance of confronting racism within their own ranks.

The debates come amid wider concerns about the role of race in British political discourse, with both major parties acknowledging the need for continuous effort in combating racism and discrimination.