Diane Abbott to be banned from standing for Labour.

Perhaps she wants to retire

There still seems to be confusion about this. If she is popular with her constituents, then she should be allowed to stand. Labour need every seat they can get.
She really needs to lose her obsession with race!

According to the Times, she won’t be allowed to stand for Labour:

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/diane-abbott-mp-labour-general-election-2024-fvgnbprdm

This is the latest Sky news report

news.sky.com/story/diane-abbott-has-labour-whip-restored-after-investigation-13144675#:~:text=Britain's%20first%20black%20woman%20MP,Labour%20at%20the%20upcoming%20election.

"Sky News now understands that she had the whip returned to her earlier today, paving the way for the veteran MP to run for Labour again in her Hackney North constituency, should she wish to stand in July's election."

Whether she decides to run or whether she is selected depends on decisions yet to be made.

Anti semetism is inexcusable from anyone, let alone an MP. A good result.

She wasn't being anti-semitic, though, any more than she was being anti-traveller, or anti-Irish. Surely being 'anti' something usually involves a dislike or hatred of whatever one is 'anti'? But she wasn't expressing such a negative emotional view.

She did, however, say that the other recipients of racism/prejudice experienced a lesser degree than did black
people. To me that was very thoughtless and hurtful, but not 'anti'.

I think any form of racism or prejudice is inexcusable...

Thank you for the information Annie.

It was said tonight on SKY papers review, she wouldn’t be allowed to stand for Labour at the July election, by restoring the whip she can stand down as a Labour MP.

Mamardoit

Why would she want to stand. She's 70 and does seem to struggle at times with facts and figures. The press will definitely have her in their sights.

I realise she is well educated and achieved much in her political career but she should retire from front line politics.

And going out wearing different coloured shoes. 🤣

LizzieDrip

Thanks Casdon - at last a reliable resource.

Wow, you call the Brussels Broadcasting Corporation a reliable source? 😝

It just shows how powerful fake news can be.

MaizieD

She had the Labour whip removed at the time of the letter she wrote, the 'investigation' was concluded in December and she was reprimanded. She has taken the course she was instructed to take. she apologised immediately after the letter was published.

I can't see any valid reason for not restoring the whip, all I can see is a determination not to have an MP who might not always stick to the 'party line'.

It looks like control freakery. It wouldn't hurt the LP to have a maverick MP or two.

Anti semetism is inexcusable from anyone, let alone an MP. A good result.

What she said was awful and God knows I am no supporter of hers. However that doesnt make the handling of the situation any better. Oh and most of the reporting on this was by newsnight, should we be ignoring them too?

zakouma66

She said " It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism"

But she did explicitly include Jewish people in her list of those who had experienced a 'lesser' (my word, not hers) racism than black people. She must have forgotten about yellow stars and mass extermination. Without the word Jewish her letter may have been a bit more acceptable.

She chose Jonathon Aitken for Godfather for her son

She said " It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism"

She has been very poorly at times. Let the local LP and NEC and Abbot herself discuss it.

I agree with you Marmardoit.

Urmstongran

I agree to some extent MaizieD I think Starmer is using her as an excuse to look tough/deny anti-semitism in the LP. A fresh beginning (of sorts) and Abbott has paid the price - after 37 years. Harsh. Perhaps.

It seems harsh, but Starmer knows that both DA and JC are now and have been for a long time, liabilities to the LP.
A fresh start is needed!

Why would she want to stand. She's 70 and does seem to struggle at times with facts and figures. The press will definitely have her in their sights.

I realise she is well educated and achieved much in her political career but she should retire from front line politics.

Wyllow3

Another attempt to spread misinformation since despite the O/P no such "Banning" had taken place at all.

Exactly

Another attempt to spread misinformation since despite the O/P no such "Banning" had taken place at all.

So now what we see it for what it is:

What happened is that the whip had been removed at the time of the controversy

but a decision had not been made before the sudden election call whether to restore it or not ie whether she will have whip restored and able to stand as candidate.

Then the media shout out, "Abbott not able to stand" typical smear tactics shock horror without proper/all information provided

Starmer says it is up to the NEC to decide, a meeting takes place.

NEC decides to restore the whip.

Another attempt to spread

It's not clear if she is going to be allowed to stand though.

Casdon

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69063295
The whip has been restored.

Good.

Thanks Casdon - at last a reliable resource.