Leeds Pride 2024: TPP dropped as a sponsor

Frank Hester’s company TPP has been dropped as a sponsor of Leeds Pride following backlash against the partnership.

Transcript

00:00 Horsforth-based The Phoenix Partnership, also known as TPP, has been dropped as a sponsor

00:07 of Leeds Pride 2024.

00:09 The chief executive of the company, Frank Hester, is currently being investigated by

00:13 West Yorkshire Police for alleged racist remarks made during a business meeting.

00:18 The Leeds businessman has admitted making rude comments about MP Diane Abbott, but claimed

00:23 they had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

00:26 Some event-goers hit out at TPP's partnership with Leeds Pride and the organisers have now

00:31 confirmed they have reassessed its association with the company and acknowledged concerns

00:36 voiced by members of the community.

00:38 Leeds Pride has been self-funded since its inception almost two decades ago.

00:42 At the first event, there were around 300 people in attendance.

00:47 That figure has now grown to around 75,000 attendees in the city centre last year.

00:52 [BLANK_AUDIO]