Minister rejects claims Labour aims to remove Diane Abbott from party.

Diane Abbott Faces Fresh Suspension Over Racism Comments

Second Suspension Sparks Renewed Controversy

Labour MP Diane Abbott has been suspended from the party for a second time following remarks made during a recent interview on BBC Radio 4. The comments revisited the issue that led to her initial suspension in 2023 and have reignited debate over how the Labour Party handles allegations of racism and internal discipline.

Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987 and the first Black woman elected to the UK Parliament, has claimed that the Labour leadership is attempting to force her out of the party. She is now sitting as an independent MP while the party conducts an investigation.

Background: Previous Suspension in 2023

Abbott was first suspended last year after writing a letter to a newspaper in which she suggested that while people of colour face racism “all their lives,” groups such as Jewish people, Travellers, and the Irish experience “prejudice” that differs in nature. The letter drew strong criticism from both Jewish and Traveller communities.

Though she later apologised, Abbott’s comments were widely condemned. She was eventually reinstated to the party ahead of the last general election.

BBC Interview Triggers New Suspension

In a BBC Radio 4 interview recorded in May, Abbott revisited the 2023 incident and stated she had no regrets over her remarks. She further argued that racism based on skin colour is fundamentally different from other forms of discrimination, stating that characteristics such as being Jewish or a Traveller are not always visible, unlike skin colour.

“There are different types of racism,” Abbott said. “To conflate them is silly.”

Following the interview, Labour took the decision to suspend her once more. In response, Abbott posted a clip from the interview online and issued a statement to BBC Newsnight, saying her comments were “factually accurate” and that “any fair-minded person would accept them.”

Labour Ministers Respond

Treasury Minister James Murray denied claims that the Labour leadership was seeking to remove Abbott. Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, he said, “That is absolutely not the case,” and stressed that Labour was following due process in its internal investigations. “The process needs to be respected—for Diane as well as the party,” he added.

A Labour spokesperson confirmed that the party would not comment further while the investigation was ongoing.

Reactions from Within the Party

Abbott’s suspension has received mixed reactions within the Labour Party. Several MPs from the party’s left wing—including Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Richard Burgon, Ian Lavery, and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell—have come to her defence.

Jacqueline McKenzie, a friend and legal supporter of Abbott, said the MP’s remarks were being “weaponised.” McKenzie, from law firm Leigh Day, told BBC Radio London that Abbott’s comments were not a denial of antisemitism but rather a reflection on the varying forms of racism. “She was making an important point,” McKenzie said, adding that Abbott had a long history of opposing racism in all forms.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, however, expressed concern over Abbott’s recent statements. In an interview with The Guardian, Rayner noted that the MP initially described the 2023 letter as a draft not intended for publication, but now appeared to be reaffirming her earlier views. She reiterated Labour’s “zero tolerance” stance on antisemitism.

Party Tensions and Ongoing Investigation

Abbott has long been a significant figure in British politics and remains the longest-serving female MP in the House of Commons. Despite her gratitude for her career within Labour, she has accused the current leadership of seeking to remove her.

This latest controversy comes amid broader concerns about internal tensions in the Labour Party. A 2022 report by Martin Forde KC highlighted delays in disciplinary processes and noted that allegations—particularly those involving antisemitism—were sometimes fast-tracked or used to manage candidate selections.

FAQs

Q: Why was Diane Abbott suspended again?
She was suspended following a BBC interview in which she expressed no regret over comments about racism made in 2023.

Q: What were her original comments in 2023?
Abbott suggested there is a difference between racism faced by people of colour and prejudice experienced by groups like Jewish people or Travellers.

Q: What is Labour’s position?
Labour has stated that the matter is under internal investigation and that no conclusions have been reached.

Q: Is Diane Abbott still a Labour MP?
No, she is currently sitting as an independent MP during the investigation.

Q: Has she received support from other Labour MPs?
Yes, several MPs from Labour’s left wing have defended her, while others have criticised her remarks.