Diane Abbott is “free” to stand for Labour at the general election, Sir Keir Starmer said after growing tensions in the party over her political future.
The Labour leader told reporters on Friday: “The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”
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He went on to praise the veteran MP as a “trailblazer”, saying: “Diane Abbott was elected in 1987, the first black woman MP.
“She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life.”
Ms Abbott was suspended from Labour last year after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism, sparking a long-running process which saw her sit as an Independent MP.
After finally having the whip restored this week, her future appeared in doubt as some papers were briefed that she had been barred from standing for Labour again in Hackney North, which she has held consistently for nearly 40 years.
While senior figures such as deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner had said there was “no reason” she could not put herself forward as a Labour candidate, Sir Keir refused to give a judgement – saying “no decision” had been taken over her future.
Ms Abbott said she would not be making a comment until she is officially endorsed by the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) next week.
But she told Sky News that “the narrative does looks positive”.
Labour sources said she will be the Labour candidate in her east London constituency and is expected to ratify the decision when it meets on Tuesday.
The row has overshadowed Labour’s early general election campaign.
Earlier this week Ms Abbott accused Sir Keir of a an “appalling” cull of left-wing candidates amid other selection disputes.
Left-wing campaign group Momentum welcomed Sir Keir’s announcement, saying: “Starmer tried to force her out. She held firm – and won.”
Sir Keir Starmer
Earlier in the day, the Labour leader was still insisting no decision had yet been taken over Ms Abbott’s candidacy, distancing himself from his deputy Ms Rayner and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who had both backed her.
He has come under increasing pressure over the way she has been treated, with leading black figures – including actors Lenny Henry and David Harewood – writing an open letter on Friday calling the situation “disproportionate, undemocratic and vindictive”.
The row has been used by the Tories to attack Sir Keir and his principles, with many defending Ms Abbott’s record as a trailblazer.
The Conservatives claimed that today’s decision shows “Angela Rayner is pushing Keir Starmer around”.
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“Under pressure, he’s showing he’s a weak leader who’s losing control of the Labour Party,” a spokesperson said.
Ms Abbott is a stalwart of the Labour left and a close ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn.
As well as the questions surrounding her candidacy, the suspension of left-winger Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who was MP for Brighton Kemptown, and the decision not to endorse candidate Faiza Shaheen in Chingford and Woodford Green have also come in for criticism.
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Labour accused of ‘double standards’
Ms Shaheen was blocked after liking a series of social media posts on social media site X that allegedly downplayed antisemitism accusations, while Mr Russell-Moyle said he had been suspended by Labour over a “vexatious and politically motivated complaint” against him.
At the same time, several candidates loyal to the Labour leadership have been confirmed in safe seats.
However, Sir Keir’s allies have denied accusations of a purge.
Shadow science secretary Peter Kyle told GB News this morning that the party should not have to apologise for “raising the standards” of its members.
Ms Rayner told Sky News yesterday: “I don’t think Keir is acting in a factional way.
“You do have factions in the Labour Party, you’ve got that in all political parties. But you know, our party will only succeed if we’re a broad church.”
