They say a week is a long time in politics but in the Labour party just three days is enough. On Tuesday evening, the Times reported Labour sources saying Diane Abbott would be blocked from standing as a Labour MP at the election. An outcry followed from Abbott who was backed by the Labour left, some centrist Labour MPs and various celebrities and public figures. Now Keir Starmer has used a campaign visit to say that Abbott is ‘free to go forward’ as a candidate at the election. Speaking to reporters today, he said:
She’s free to go forward as a Labour candidate. The whip is back with her. It’s been restored. And of course you know she was a trailblazer for many, many years and has been a path for others to come into politics. So, formally a matter for the NEC, I’ve not expressed a view up until now.
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