The Jamaican government has expressed disapproval towards comments made by the largest donor of the Conservative Party, Frank Hester, over concerns about a contract his digital health company received.
In March of this year, the Guardian reported that Hester had made derogatory comments about Diane Abbott, the first black female MP in Britain, during a meeting in 2019. Hester’s comments, which included a statement about wanting to hate all black women and suggesting that Abbott should be shot, are currently under investigation by the West Yorkshire police.
Following the release of the comments, the health ministry of Jamaica has received requests to rescind a contract estimated at $5 million for Hester’s healthcare technology firm, TPP, to oversee the digital medical records of the country.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) of Jamaica released a statement expressing their opposition to all types of biased actions, such as racism and sexism.
The contract was signed with TPP before the ministry became aware of Hester’s statements.
The ministry has requested that TPP take responsibility for Hester’s statements. They stated, “The MOHW considers this issue to be of great importance and urges for necessary measures to be taken within the company to hold Mr Hester accountable, based on the findings of the investigations.”
The comments were also denounced by Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s culture minister. In a statement reported by the Guardian, she expressed her shock and disappointment as a Jamaican woman upon hearing that a well-known Englishman had made such a dreadful statement, claiming that seeing Diane Abbott on television made him have negative feelings towards all Black women.
She stated: “As the woman he mentioned has Jamaican origins, his words personally offended me and all Black Jamaican women. I want to express my full support for Diane during this challenging time, on behalf of all Jamaicans.”
I wish that a solution can be found to resolve this issue and bring peace.
Hester has expressed remorse for their comments, acknowledging them as “impolite,” but asserting that they were not influenced by factors such as race or gender.
A businessman and Conservative party supporter, Lord Marland, has stated that he is acquainted with Hester and has referenced his involvement with TPP in Jamaica to counter accusations of racism. During an interview on LBC, Marland asserted that Hester frequently travels abroad for business, particularly to Jamaica, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other countries, which he believes proves that he is not a racist.
Earlier today, the opposition’s health spokesperson in Jamaica, Dr. Alfred Dawes, stated that this defense only worsens the situation and he was quoted as saying: “It is an unacceptable act for the government of Jamaica to use their relationship with Mr. Hester as a means to refute the efforts of black British activists, the diaspora, and their allies. This goes against our history of fighting against oppression.”
Last week, the former Jamaican opposition MP Ronald Thwaites urged the government to tear up its contract with TPP. He wrote: “Diane’s Jamaican sisters and brothers are now paying big money to implement the National Medical Records System. The Ministry of Health must cancel that contract now.”
Source: theguardian.com
