The opposition leader tried to bat away criticism amid reports that the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, had been told she could not run on July 4.
Sir Keir Starmer today denied veteran leftwinger Diane Abbott had been blocked from standing as an MP amid a major backlash against the Labour leadership.
She remained tight-lipped when quizzed by reporters in London. Adding to the sense of chaos, a Labour source questioned whether Ms Abbott was indeed banned - insisting the NEC will not finalise candidate endorsements until Tuesday. He also had a tetchy exchange with Sky News' Kay Burley, suggesting she was spending too much time grilling him on the topic rather than Labour's waiting lists policy.
It is unclear whether this might have been behind the decision, but endorsing anyone other than a Labour candidate in an election risks being a breach of party membership rules. John McTernan, who was Tony Blair's political secretary, said: 'It's not for the Labour Party to ban a woman with Diane Abbott's record from standing for the Labour Party if that's what she wishes to do.'
Asked if Ms Abbott was owed an apology Mr Streeting said: 'Diane rightly apologised for the comments that she made that led to her suspension, as to the process, I think those questions are better directed to people responsible for the process. He added: 'If she's reinstated, good. If not she's got a choice of her own to make. But whatever she does, I'll support her.'
It also came amid a row over claims Sir Keir is lining up key allies to a string of safe seats after six current Labour MPs announced last-minute retirements. Ms Abbott, who has been MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987, has been suspended from the party since April last year She was forced to sit as an independent MP in the House of Commons while a probe was launched into her remarks.
Sir Keir last week refused to be drawn on whether Ms Abbott would be allowed to stand as a Labour candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington. A Momentum spokesman said: 'This is outrageous news which confirms the Starmer leadership is trying to force Britain's first black woman MP out of Parliament.
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