Overview

• Labour has administratively suspended Diane Abbott pending an internal investigation into her comments on racism.
• In a BBC Radio 4 interview, Abbott doubled down on her assertion that anti-Black racism differs from other forms of prejudice and said she had no regrets.
• Her refusal to withdraw the remarks echoes a 2023 Observer letter that prompted a year-long suspension after she claimed white communities do not suffer racism “all their lives.”
• Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said there is no place for antisemitism in Labour and emphasized the party’s strict disciplinary rules under Keir Starmer.
• Abbott accused the leadership of trying to force her out and will sit as an independent MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington while the probe continues.