Diane Abbott has been suspended from the Labour Party for a second time after she defended past comments about racism, triggering a new investigation. The MP said she did not regret stating that people of colour experience racism 'all their lives', which differs from the 'prejudice' faced by Jewish, Irish, and Traveller people.
In an interview with the BBC, Abbott, the first black woman elected to Parliament, argued that racism based on skin colour is distinct from other forms of prejudice. She said: 'It is silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism.' Labour sources confirmed the suspension was swift and that Abbott was not offered a chance to retract her remarks.
The suspension comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer cracks down on party discipline, having recently suspended four Labour MPs for repeatedly breaking the whip on welfare reform votes. Starmer insisted he would not be 'deflected' from his reform agenda, stating that the government must deliver on its manifesto promises.
Abbott first made similar comments in a 2023 letter to the Observer, for which she apologised and was readmitted after an investigation. Her latest suspension has drawn criticism from left-wing allies, including John McDonnell, who questioned why Abbott faced action while others who used racist language were not penalised. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner expressed disappointment, saying there is 'no place for antisemitism' in Labour.
