'He's silent on that!' Rishi Sunak lets rip at Starmer for failing to criticise Labour MP's 'lynching' comments

In 2014 it was reported that Labour MP John McDonnell repeated words said by people angry at Government policy which called for Esther McVey to be lynched.

He also described her as a "stain on humanity".

McDonnell defended the remarks in 2016, admitting he had sometimes “gone too far” in criticism of opponents, but argued it was better to be honest.

He said: “I was angry. Sometimes you need to express honest anger and that was about what this last government was doing to people with disabilities. It was appalling, to be frank, and sometimes it is better to be honest about how you feel.

“At times, in Parliament in particular, it means using strong language but, actually, if it reflects your honest views, I think it is better to be honest than it is to be in any way deceptive.”

Opening PMQs today, Starmer said: “The man bankrolling the Prime Minister also said that the Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington should be shot.

“How low would he have to sink, what racist, woman-hating threat of violence would he have to make before the Prime Minister plucked up the courage to hand back the £10 million that he’s taken from him?”

Sunak replied: “As I said, the gentleman apologised genuinely for his comments and that remorse should be accepted.

“But he talks about language, he might want to reflect on the double standards of his deputy leader calling her opponents scum, his shadow foreign secretary comparing Conservatives to Nazis and the man that he wanted to make chancellor talking about lynching a female minister.

“His silence on that speaks volumes.”

Starmer hit back: "The difference is, he's scared of his party. I've changed mine."

Speaking about Hester, Sunak added: “The alleged comments were wrong, they were racist, he has rightly apologised for them and that remorse should be accepted.

“There is no place for racism in Britain, and the Government I lead is living proof of that.”

Tory donor Frank Hester is said to have told colleagues that Diane Abbott "should be shot", allegedly adding that looking at her makes you "want to hate all black women".

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A spokesperson for Frank Hester said: "Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbot in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

"The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970’s.

"He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks. He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life."