Diane Abbott is “free” to stand for Labour at the general election, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Labour leader told reporters on Friday: “The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”
He went onto praise her as a “trailblazer”, saying: “Diane Abbott was elected in 1987, the first black woman MP.
“She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life.”
The veteran MP’s future appeared in doubt following reports she could be barred from standing in her seat in Hackney North, which she has held since 1987.
While senior figures such as deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner had said there was “no reason” she couldn’t put herself forward, Sir Keir has been more muted – saying “no decision” had been taken over her future.
The row has overshadowed Labour’s early general election campaign, with the uncertainty over Ms Abbott’s future coinciding with influential figures loyal to the leadership being selected to run in safe seats.
Ms Abbott was suspended from Labour last year after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism, sparking a long-running process which saw her sit as an Independent MP.
After finally having the whip restored this week, reports emerged that she had been barred from standing again.
But following the ensuing backlash, Sir Keir said no decision had yet been taken about whether Ms Abbott would be allowed to defend her seat.
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