Diane Abbott is “free” to stand for Labour at the general election, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Labour leader on Friday told reporters: “The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”
The veteran MP’s future appeared in doubt following reports she could be barred from standing in her seat in Hackney North, which she has held since 1987.
While senior figures such as deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner had said there was “no reason” she couldn’t put herself forward, Sir Keir has been more muted – saying “no decision” had been taken over her future.
The row has overshadowed Labour’s early general election campaign.
The uncertainty over Ms Abbott’s future coincided with the confirmation that influential figures loyal to the leadership will be allowed to run in safe seats.
The confusion began after Ms Abbott claimed she had been barred from standing for the party after having the whip restored to her this week following a year-long suspension over a letter she wrote in The Guardian suggesting Jewish people do not face racism.
But following the ensuing backlash, Sir Keir said no decision had yet been taken about whether Ms Abbott – the UK’s first black female MP – would be allowed to defend her seat of Hackney North and Stoke Newington, which she has held consistently since 1987.
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