Diane Abbott lost the Labour whip last year after a backlash over a letter to a newspaper (Image: GETTY)
Labour is facing renewed calls for Diane Abbott to be allowed back into the party after a Tory donor racism row.
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP lost the whip last year after writing a letter to a newspaper suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people are not subject to racism "all their lives".
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Ultimate Pet Nutrition
Vet Warns Americans: "If Your Dog Licks Its Paws, Watch This Immediately"Ultimate Pet Nutrition Learn More
The former shadow home secretary, Britain's first black female MP, remains a party member but has sat as an independent MP while an internal investigation continues.
But the furore over alleged comments made about her by Conservative donor Frank Hester has sparked fresh demands for the whip to be returned.
The businessman reportedly said she made him want to "hate all black women" and "should be shot".
Sponsored
Dr. Marty
Dr. Marty Learn More
Expert Vet Saddened That Most Cat Parents Are Making This Huge Mistake
by Taboola by Taboola
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Trending
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner yesterday said she would like Ms Abbott to be reinstated as a Labour MP.
She said: "Personally, I would like to see Diane back but the Labour Party has to follow its procedures.
"And for me, that is the most important thing, that we have made sure our party is fit to govern by making sure we have got complaint procedures that are robust and people can have confidence in."
Ms Rayner also expressed "frustration" with the length of time the internal investigation had taken.
Vote in our poll below or by clicking here
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has so far resisted calls to return the whip to Ms Abbott.
On Thursday, he said her suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party was "an entirely different issue" and subject to an independent process that was separate from him.
A number of backbenchers have been outspoken with Apsana Begum insisting Ms Abbott should "absolutely" have the whip restored.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rishi Sunak blasts Sir Keir Starmer over 'double standards' in fiery Commons clash
59 Comments
'I'm a parliamentary expert and the Speaker did not silence Diane Abbott'
48 Comments
Michael Gove's new 'illegal and ill-conceived' extremism definition outrages Muslim leader
1053 Comments
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
729 Comments
Should Tories give Frank Hester's donations over Diane Abbott attack? Have your say
892 Comments
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
867 Comments
George Galloway announces plan to kick Angela Rayner out of parliament at the election
402 Comments
Express readers give overwhelming verdict on Lee Anderson's bombshell Reform defection
945 Comments
‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown
228 Comments
Labour MP blasts George Galloway's 'bizarre' bid to oust Angela Rayner on BBC QT
115 Comments
Labour 'cowards and hypocrites' for opposing Rwanda migrants plan
1384 Comments
POLL: Do you think Rule Britannia is offensive? Vote here
1630 Comments
Jeremy Hunt issues defiant eight word slap-down after office is daubed with vile phrase
1239 Comments
Lee Anderson blasts Labour after culture spokesman says Rule Britannia is ‘alienating'
425 Comments
Diane Abbott accuses Labour of 'shocking' racism in Tory donor row
835 Comments
Angela Rayner branded a hypocrite for wanting Diane Abbott back in the Labour Party
85 Comments
Tory donor in racism row over 'reprehensible' comments about Diane Abbott
446 Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
800 Comments
Tory donor comments about Diane Abbott were 'racist and wrong', Downing Street says
332 Comments
Tory donor Frank Hester's apology for racist remarks is completely disingenuous
25 Comments
Rishi Sunak blasts Sir Keir Starmer over 'double standards' in fiery Commons clash
59 Comments
'I'm a parliamentary expert and the Speaker did not silence Diane Abbott'
48 Comments
Michael Gove's new 'illegal and ill-conceived' extremism definition outrages Muslim leader
1053 Comments
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
729 Comments
Should Tories give Frank Hester's donations over Diane Abbott attack? Have your say
892 Comments
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
867 Comments
George Galloway announces plan to kick Angela Rayner out of parliament at the election
402 Comments
Express readers give overwhelming verdict on Lee Anderson's bombshell Reform defection
945 Comments
‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown
228 Comments
Labour MP blasts George Galloway's 'bizarre' bid to oust Angela Rayner on BBC QT
115 Comments
Labour 'cowards and hypocrites' for opposing Rwanda migrants plan
1384 Comments
POLL: Do you think Rule Britannia is offensive? Vote here
1630 Comments
Jeremy Hunt issues defiant eight word slap-down after office is daubed with vile phrase
1239 Comments
Lee Anderson blasts Labour after culture spokesman says Rule Britannia is ‘alienating'
425 Comments
Diane Abbott accuses Labour of 'shocking' racism in Tory donor row
835 Comments
Angela Rayner branded a hypocrite for wanting Diane Abbott back in the Labour Party
85 Comments
Tory donor in racism row over 'reprehensible' comments about Diane Abbott
446 Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
800 Comments
Tory donor comments about Diane Abbott were 'racist and wrong', Downing Street says
332 Comments
Tory donor Frank Hester's apology for racist remarks is completely disingenuous
25 Comments
Rishi Sunak blasts Sir Keir Starmer over 'double standards' in fiery Commons clash
59 Comments
'I'm a parliamentary expert and the Speaker did not silence Diane Abbott'
48 Comments
Michael Gove's new 'illegal and ill-conceived' extremism definition outrages Muslim leader
1053 Comments
Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown
729 Comments
Should Tories give Frank Hester's donations over Diane Abbott attack? Have your say
892 Comments
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
867 Comments
George Galloway announces plan to kick Angela Rayner out of parliament at the election
402 Comments
She told BBC Newsnight: "Diane Abbott is a trailblazer. She is one of the strongest and most powerful advocates for the British black community. She is a hero of the anti-racist struggle.
"All of this needs to be recognised. She has had a tremendous parliamentary career to date and she should have the whip restored."
Mr Hester has admitted making "rude" comments about Ms Abbott, but claimed they had "nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".
Related articles Diane Abbott ignored more than 40 times by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle during PMQs Penny Mordaunt silences Labour MP over donor row in scathing Commons takedown Angela Rayner slammed for saying she wants Diane Abbott to return to Labour
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info