Politics
Tories demand answers over Diane Abbott antisemitism probe
Conservative Chair Richard Holden has written to Sir Keir Starmer over investigation
May 29, 2024 14:48
Conservative Chair Richard Holden has written to Sir Keir Starmer over investigation
May 29, 2024 14:48The Chair of the Conservative Party has demanded answers from Labour over the party’s investigation into Diane Abbott’s alleged anti-Jewish racism.
In a letter seen by the JC, Richard Holden sought answers to what he called “false comments” over when and how the probe was completed.
Abbott, the veteran left-wing MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, the fourth-largest Jewish constituency in the country, was suspended by Labour in April 2023 for writing a letter to the Observer Newspaper and claiming that Jews did not face racism, only prejudice. She later apologised.
On 24 May, Sir Keir Starmer told LBC that the investigation into Abbott was “not yet finally resolved”. However, BBC Newsnight claimed that a disciplinary investigation into her conduct by the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee had in fact concluded in December 2023, with her given a formal warning. Abbott then completed an online antisemitism awareness course required by the party in February 2024.
Holden today demanded clarity, asking: “If Labour concluded its investigation in December 2023, Diane Abbott completed her antisemitism course and was given a formal warning by the NEC in February, why did you say the process was ongoing?” and also whether other Labour officials were aware of the conclusion of the investigation into Abbott “or have they also been lied to?”
Yesterday the Times reported that the veteran left-winger had been prevented from standing as a candidate in the upcoming general election. However, in an interview today with Sky News, Sir Keir said: “No decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott", adding that the Labour Whip had been restored to her.
Abbott posted on X that she was “delighted” to return to the Labour benches but was “dismayed” by reports she had been barred as a candidate.
Both the Labour Party and Diane Abbott were contacted for comment.
Speaking to reporters in Worcester earlier today the Labour leader said that: "No decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.
"The process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day, so she's a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and no decision has been taken barring her."
No announcement has been made on whether she will contest the election as Labour’s candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington.