Row as speaker fails to let Diane Abbott speak in PMQs debate over Tory donor’s comments

Lindsay Hoyle faces fresh controversy after anger over his decision-making in Gaza debate last month

The Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has sparked a fresh row by refusing to allow Diane Abbott to ask a question during a heated session of prime minister’s questions which was dominated by discussion of a Conservative donor’s comments about her.

Abbott had sought to ask a question throughout the 35-minute session, during which MPs debated the comments made about her by Frank Hester, the Conservatives’ biggest donor. The Guardian revealed earlier this week Hester once said Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”, comments the MP has called frightening.