Hackney politicians have taken to social media to support Diane Abbott after a Tory donor was alleged to have said the MP “should be shot”.

Frank Hester, who has donated £10 million to the Conservative party, is also alleged to have said that Diane Abbott made him “want to hate all black women”.

Mr Hester has admitted making “rude” comments about Abbott, but claimed they had “nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”.

The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP has now described the alleged comments as “frightening”.

She said: “I live in Hackney and do not drive so I find myself, at weekends, popping on a bus or even walking places more than most MPs.

“I am a single woman and that makes me vulnerable anyway. But to hear someone talking like this is worrying.”

Abbott continued: “The fact that two MPs have been murdered in recent years makes talk like this all the more alarming.”

She added that while she is currently not a member of Labour in Parliament, she remains a member of the party itself, so is “hoping for public support” from leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The Labour whip was withdrawn from Abbott last year after she claimed Irish, Jewish and Traveller people are “not all their lives subject to racism”.

Labour politicians in Hackney have now stepped in to publicly support the MP.

Hackney Council cabinet member Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE said: “Yes, Frank Hester's comments were nasty, racist and sexist.

“This is not just about Diane Abbott but every Black woman. I stand in solidarity with my Black sisters, particularly those in politics in this country.”

Mayor Caroline Woodley also backed Abbott, claiming “this hateful racist, misogyny is dangerous and has to be called out by Tory leadership”.

The Green Party, which has two members on Hackney Council, also said it sends its “heartfelt respect and solidarity” to the MP.

The party added: “We thank [you] for all you have done for the borough, it's residents and for making history in politics.”

Rishi Sunak is now facing calls to hand back the money given to his party by Mr Hester after the Prime Minister belatedly condemned his remarks as “racist and wrong”.