Leading Hertsmere Labour figures have today written to local MP and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Hertsmere Conservative leaders asking them to unite with the decent people of Hertsmere in condemning the despicable comments by Conservative donor Frank Hester, and to make a public declaration that their local campaigning is not funded by a man who said the sight of Diane Abbott on television makes him ‘want to hate all black women’. Despite finally admitting his comments were racist, the Conservative Party has so far refused to return Frank Hester’s £10m donation, and are rumoured to be banking a further £5m donation.

The letter is reproduced in full below.