LEFT MP Diane Abbott insisted today that it is time Labour stepped up to challenge racism amid the ongoing row over top Tory donor Frank Hester’s racist attack on her.

The row deepened after Communities Secretary Michael Gove, while allowing that Mr Hester’s remarks were “horrific,” said they did not fall within a new definition of extremism he was launching.

This is despite Mr Hester, who has given the Tories £10 million over the last year, also suggesting Ms Abbott should be “shot.”