Conservative donor Frank Hester is facing calls to step down from running NHS contracts due to alleged racist and misogynistic comments, according to unions representing GPs and health workers. Hester’s company TPP manages electronic patient records for nearly half of the UK’s medical practices, but his controversial remarks about Diane Abbott have sparked a political controversy.
The situation has raised questions about the relationship between Hester and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, particularly after Hester contributed £10m to the Conservative party. Downing Street has been evasive about the number of times Sunak has met with Hester, but it has been revealed that they were photographed together at a party fundraiser last year.
Hester, known for his work in artificial intelligence, has reportedly had discussions with Sunak on the topic. However, Labour’s chair, Anneliese Dodds, has called on Sunak to clarify his relationship with Hester.
The controversy has also brought attention to the NHS’s ‘fit and proper person’ test, which applies to the leadership of trusts and emphasizes the avoidance of discrimination as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. Hester’s comments have been deemed to contravene this test, prompting the British Medical Association’s general practice committee to vote in favor of an emergency motion calling for Hester to step down from his company.
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2024-03-15 15:08:42
Original from www.theguardian.com