Veteran MP ‘free to go forward’ as a candidate for UK opposition party after dispute over her suspension
Diane Abbott can stand for Labour in Britain’s general election on July 4th general election, Keir Starmer has said in a bid to end a dispute over an alleged purge of leftwing candidates that has overshadowed the start of his election campaign.
Mr Starmer praised the Labour veteran, who became Britain’s first woman black MP when she was elected in 1987, as a “trailblazer” who had “carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life”.Conservative MP defects to Labour in fresh blow to SunakHe said he had last spoken to Ms Abbott, who served as shadow home secretary under hard-left leader Jeremy Corbyn, “a few weeks ago, maybe a few months ago” in the House Commons.
Mr Starmer’s intervention came after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar joined Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner and trade unions in saying Ms Abbott should be allowed to run for the party in her long-held seat, in a dent to his authority. You come at the queen, you better not miss. Diane Abbott has been bullied and abused her whole career. Starmer tried to force her out. She held firm – and wonHe also dismissed allegations that Labour was seeking to “purge” leftwing figures, saying recent contentious decisions were about “raising standards”.
She has engaged lawyers to challenge the party’s decision and accused it of pursuing a “factional agenda” against left-wingers.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Keir Starmer needs a way to calm Labour’s infighting over ‘purge’ of left wingersThe row is damaging the party’s general election campaign
Read more »
Keir Starmer promises ‘respectful engagement’ with Irish Government if elected Prime MinisterLabour leader says he is ‘acutely aware of the issues at play’ in Anglo-Irish relations
Read more »
Would Keir Starmer in Number 10 be good news for Ireland?London correspondent Mark Paul discusses the man leading the Labour party towards victory in the next UK general election.
Read more »
Keir Starmer treated to Old Trafford flooding after stadium talks with RatcliffeManchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe met for talks with Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, at Old Trafford ahead of Sunday afternoon's match with Arsenal
Read more »
Keir Starmer says he will scrap British government’s Rwanda schemeLabour leader Keir Starmer sets out plans to reduce migration to UK as he vows to scrap British government's Rwanda policy
Read more »
Diane Abbott barred from running for Labour in electionBritain's first Black female MP Diane Abbott has said she had been barred from running as a Labour candidate in the UK general election after she was suspended more than a year ago for comments she made about Jewish people and racism.
Read more »