Diane Abbott sorry after suggesting that Jews don't face racism
More Videos
0 seconds of 1 minute, 13 seconds Volume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume ↑
Decrease Volume ↓
Seek Forward →
Seek Backward ←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size -
Increase Caption Size + or =
Seek % 0-9
Next Up
Diane Abbott hits out at report into racism in Britain
00:38
x facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/K7uAkNKt Copied
Auto270p 720p 540p 360p 270p 180p
Live
00:15
00:57
01:13
More Videos
Close
The Labour Party has suggested Diane Abbott could be on the brink of being kicked out yet again after she insisted she stands by her 'offensive' comments about anti-Jewish racism. In a new BBC interview Ms Abbott, the longest serving female MP in parliament, said she does not regret her remarks made in a letter to the Observer newspaper in April 2023.
Ms Abbott suggested that people of colour experience racism differently to Irish, Jewish and Traveller communities, adding the latter groups are not subject to racism "all their lives". She later apologised and withdrew the remarks, claiming the letter had been an initial draft that was submitted to the newspaper prematurely. However asked today whether she regrets the row that saw her suspended from the Labour Party for a year, she defiantly replied: "No, not at all."
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Labour backbenchers have weak Starmer exactly where they want him and Britain will suffer
34 Comments
Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath
662 Comments
Government defends 'sweary' attack on disability rebels as Labour civil war continues
19 Comments
Labour panic as fears grow Jeremy Corbyn's new party will only help Nigel Farage become PM
133 Comments
Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee
65 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
514 Comments
Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet
68 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Diane Abbott defiant over race row as Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs
25 Comments
MP Rachael Maskell vows to continue supporting disabled people after Starmer sacked her
28 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour
6 Comments
Rebel MP suspended by Keir Starmer breaks silence in emotional interview
172 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
POLL: Is the UK right to give Donald Trump a second state visit?
67 Comments
Donald Trump state visit - Everything we know ahead of huge King Charles meeting
5 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Labour backbenchers have weak Starmer exactly where they want him and Britain will suffer
34 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath
662 Comments
Government defends 'sweary' attack on disability rebels as Labour civil war continues
19 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour panic as fears grow Jeremy Corbyn's new party will only help Nigel Farage become PM
133 Comments
Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee
65 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
514 Comments
Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet
68 Comments
Diane Abbott defiant over race row as Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs
25 Comments
MP Rachael Maskell vows to continue supporting disabled people after Starmer sacked her
28 Comments
MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour
6 Comments
Rebel MP suspended by Keir Starmer breaks silence in emotional interview
172 Comments
POLL: Is the UK right to give Donald Trump a second state visit?
67 Comments
Donald Trump state visit - Everything we know ahead of huge King Charles meeting
5 Comments
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Read more: Diane Abbott defiant over race row as Keir Starmer suspends four Labour MPs
The Mother of the Commons could find herself suspended yet again (Image: Getty)
"Clearly, there must be a difference between racism which is about colour and other types of racism because you can see a Traveller or a Jewish person walking down the street, you don't know.
"You don't know unless you stop to speak to them or you're in a meeting with them.
"But if you see a black person walking down the street, you see straight away that they're black. They are different types of racism."
Sponsored
Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increase time in rang e3？？.
Undo
Asked if she believed she had done anything wrong, Ms Abbott hit back: "I just think that it's silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism."
"I just... I don't know why people would say that."
Read more: Palestine Action advocate Diane Abbott is leading Labour rebels
Read more: Diane Abbott faces calls for Labour expulsion over latest Israel comments
Read more: Diane Abbott issues huge warning to Keir Starmer after welfare U-turn
Sir Keir branded Ms Abbott's comments 'antisemitic' (Image: Getty)
Responding to the bombshell u-turn on her apology, a Labour Party spokesman has now suggested to the Express that Ms Abbott may once again be kicked out of the party.
They warned: "There is no place for antisemitism in the Labour Party. We take these comments incredibly seriously, and will assess them in line with Labour Party’s rules and procedures.”
Two years ago, Sir Keir Starmer condemned her comments as overtly "antisemitic".
He argued: “In my view what she said was to be condemned, it was antisemitic. Diane Abbott has suffered a lot of racial abuse over many, many years … that doesn’t take away from the fact that I condemn the words she used and we must never accept the argument that there’s some sort of hierarchy of racism.
“I will never accept that, the Labour party will never accept that, and that’s why we acted as swiftly as we did yesterday.”
Ms Abbott picked a risky moment to challenge Sir Keir Starmer over whether he will accept her change of heart, following four Labour MPs being suspended yesterday.
Trending
He also sacked three trade envoys, all for defying the whip on recent votes and publicly attacking the government's policies.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Labour backbenchers have weak Starmer exactly where they want him and Britain will suffer
34 Comments
Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath
662 Comments
Government defends 'sweary' attack on disability rebels as Labour civil war continues
19 Comments
Labour panic as fears grow Jeremy Corbyn's new party will only help Nigel Farage become PM
133 Comments
Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee
65 Comments
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
514 Comments
Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet
68 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Click Here
Undo
Diane Abbott defiant over race row as Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs
25 Comments
MP Rachael Maskell vows to continue supporting disabled people after Starmer sacked her
28 Comments
Retired? Pay One Price for Internet and TVInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour
6 Comments
Rebel MP suspended by Keir Starmer breaks silence in emotional interview
172 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
POLL: Is the UK right to give Donald Trump a second state visit?
67 Comments
Donald Trump state visit - Everything we know ahead of huge King Charles meeting
5 Comments
Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do you do it?greeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increase time in range3？？.Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Labour backbenchers have weak Starmer exactly where they want him and Britain will suffer
34 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath
662 Comments
Government defends 'sweary' attack on disability rebels as Labour civil war continues
19 Comments
Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour panic as fears grow Jeremy Corbyn's new party will only help Nigel Farage become PM
133 Comments
Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee
65 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom | Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Fury as Labour refuses to rule out fresh tax hikes targeting 1 group
514 Comments
Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet
68 Comments
Diane Abbott defiant over race row as Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs
25 Comments
MP Rachael Maskell vows to continue supporting disabled people after Starmer sacked her
28 Comments
MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour
6 Comments
Rebel MP suspended by Keir Starmer breaks silence in emotional interview
172 Comments
POLL: Is the UK right to give Donald Trump a second state visit?
67 Comments
Donald Trump state visit - Everything we know ahead of huge King Charles meeting
5 Comments
Union Jack is treated like filth by fifth columnists who are beneath your contempt
64 Comments
Wes Streeting ‘so out of his depth he needs armbands' as he says ‘I can't'
4 Comments
Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM
185 Comments
Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit
208 Comments
Labour's Heidi Alexander stutters through tense LBC grilling: 'Yes or no!'
46 Comments
Key Reform UK moves that prove Nigel Farage is set on smashing uniparty system
126 Comments
CNN halted for 'breaking news' report - Donald Trump won't be happy
4 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habi...greeneatsonly
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increas...Dexcom
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Early Signs of Dementia Seniors are Missing...greeneatsonly
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Meet The Wetlands CollectionYETI
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Ms Abbott, who entered Parliament in 1987 as Britain’s first black woman MP, also claimed the party leadership had tried to force her out. She said: "I got tremendous support locally. In the end, Keir Starmer and the people around him had to back off."
She added there had been "hints" she would be offered a seat in the House of Lords if she agreed to step down – but she insisted: "I was never going to do that. And I’m a Labour MP today, and I’m grateful."
She was eventually issued with a formal warning and required to complete an antisemitism awareness course. Although Labour’s internal investigation concluded in early 2024, she was only readmitted in May. She remains the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and holds the honorary title of Mother of the House.
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. Read our Privacy Policy
Read Next