Diane Abbott, the veteran MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, stated on Wednesday that the Labour Party has banned her from running as a candidate in the upcoming general election. Abbott revealed this development a day after her suspension from Labour was lifted. The Labour whip had been withdrawn in April 2023 following her remarks about racism, which suggested that Irish, Jewish, and Traveller communities do not experience racism “all their lives.” Although she later apologized, Labour conducted a 13-month investigation into her comments, which reportedly concluded in December 2023.

Despite her reinstatement as a Labour MP, Abbott indicated that she was informed almost immediately that she would still be barred from standing. The situation remains ambiguous as Labour’s National Executive Committee had earlier issued her a formal warning and required her to complete an online e-learning module in February this year. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Labour Leader Keir Starmer have both acknowledged her readmission but have not clarified her eligibility as a Labour candidate. This development has sparked criticism from some quarters within the party and beyond.