Diane Abbott suspended by Labour over letter on racism

MP apologises as party takes immediate action

- ASHLEY COWBURN

VETERAN Labour MP Diane Abbott had the whip suspended yesterday pending a probe into a "deeply offensive" letter about racism.

The action came after Ms Abbott apologised for her letter, which suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people do not face racism.

She wrote: "They experience prejudice. This is similar to racism and the two words are often used as if they are interchangeable".

After a backlash, the former Shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership said an "initial draft" had been sent in error, and withdrew the comments.

Labour condemned the remarks as "deeply offensive and wrong".

The party added: "The Chief Whip has suspended the Labour whip from Diane Abbott pending an investigation."