Public announcement by Diane Abbott or official parliamentary record

Diane Abbott Has Labour Whip Restored; Keir Starmer Says No Decision on Election Candidacy

May 29, 2024, 06:56 AM

Diane Abbott, the veteran Labour MP and the first Black woman elected to the UK Parliament, has had the Labour Party whip restored after a suspension over comments she made regarding racism. However, conflicting reports have emerged about her candidacy in the upcoming general election. While some sources state that she has been barred from standing as a Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Labour leader Keir Starmer has clarified that no decision has been made to bar her from standing. This development follows an investigation into her conduct, which concluded five months ago. Abbott, who has served in Parliament for 37 years, has expressed her dismay at the reports and remains committed to campaigning for a Labour victory.