The Cambridge Union is under fire for its connection to Frank Hester, CEO of TPP, following his alleged “racist” comments earlier this year.

Multiple sources within the Union expressed their disapproval of Hester’s association with the institution, claiming his comments made them “deeply uncomfortable” to be members.

Hester is CEO of TPP, a UK based software company that is listed as one of the Union’s sponsorship partners. He is also the Conservative Party’s biggest donor, having given them more than £20 million since the start of 2023.

In March, Hester caused major controversy after he allegedly said veteran MP Diane Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and should “be shot”. These comments were later labelled “racist” and “wrong” by Rishi Sunak.

TPP runs the electronic patient records of almost half the medical practices in the UK, and received £137 million through NHS contracts since 2020.

The company is one of the Union’s three listed partners, along with AstraZeneca and The University Arms Hotel. Sponsorships made up £59,325 of the Union’s income last year, according to their annual accounts.

Speaking to Varsity, one Cambridge Union member, who has previously served on full committee, stated that they were “reconsidering their future” at the Union over its ties to Hester.

“Obviously I support the Union’s commitment to free speech, but a line should be drawn when it comes to inciting violence against minority students. Stuff like that cannot be tolerated under the guise of free speech,” they claimed.

Another source close to the Union stated that taking money from TPP made them “deeply uncomfortable as a minority student” and that the Union should “clean up their image when it comes to sponsors”.

Hester featured on the Sunday Times’ Rich List in 2024, boasting an estimated net worth of £343 million.

The Cambridge Union is the oldest debate society in the world, with its stated goal being “enabling free speech,” and act as a “unique forum for the free exchange of ideas and the art of public debate”.

Concerns around Hester’s association with the Union were echoed the Cambridge Student Union’s BME officer, by Maroof Rafique who told Varsity: “For BME students, who already face challenges navigating spaces that were not historically designed for them, knowing that someone who holds such harmful views is financially linked to a prominent institution like the Cambridge Union, is both deeply troubling and demoralising.”

“This association sends the message that racist rhetoric can be excused, or worse, rewarded, by spaces that are supposed to represent the intellectual and social diversity of Cambridge,” he continued.

Hester’s comments are currently under investigation by West Yorkshire Police, who stated that they were “working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed”.

Hester also faced calls to to step down from running NHS contracts following his comments, with the British Medical Association claiming that his “racist and misogynistic comments” breach its fit and proper person test.

Dianne Abbott was first elected in 1987 as the black female MP. She served in several shadow cabinet roles under former leader Mr Corbyn.

The Cambridge Labour Club Co-Chairs Ben Cartwright and Olivia Kelly told Varsity “We are disappointed but unfortunately not surprised to learn of the association between Frank Hester and the union. While we endorse the union’s respect for free speech, we believe those in positions of power have a responsibility to promote inclusive dialogue, not alienate potential new members.”

“We appreciate this is not the fault of any single set of individuals or students in current positions of leadership, yet this follows in a long line of internal crises in the union, representing a culture of profound exclusion and intolerance,” they continued.

These questions around Union finances also come after the Union was forced to raise membership fees last year, following what one insider labelled “years of bad financial decisions”.

A spokesperson for the Cambridge Union told Varsity: “’TPP have been a sponsor of the Cambridge Union for several years and their position on diversity and inclusion is clearly articulated and published online. Frank Hester’s comments do not reflect the standard of our organisation, or the nature of our relationship with TPP.”

“The Union remains committed promoting the freedom of speech whilst standing firmly against hate speech and the incitement of violence towards any individual. The contract, signed between our Trustees and TPP, was agreed well before any comments were made by Hester and since, the student committee have worked tirelessly to find sponsorships that reflect the values that we stand upon to continue offering access memberships, bursaries and scholarships,” they continued.

Frank Hester and TPP were contacted for comment.