EXPOSED! SPLITS IN LABOUR RANKS

DIVISIONS at the very top of the Labour Party were exposed yesterday as the row over the treatment of Diane Abbott exploded.

- Martyn Brown

Sir Keir Starmer was openly challenged by his deputy Angela Rayner to allow the veteran MP to stand at the General Election as splits among senior ranks widened.

The dramatic development came as the party leadership was forced to deny attempts to "purge" Corbynite Left-wingers were under way. Ms Abbott's own future remained uncertain after she said she wanted to fight to retain her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for "as long as it is possible". The Labour whip was restored to her following an investigation into controversial comments about racism.

Ms Rayner said: "I don't think there's any reason" why the former Shadow Home Secretary should not stand in the July 4 election, adding the row was "not a great look".

Her remarks risk defying Sir Keir, who has repeatedly said no decision has yet been taken about whether the pioneering MP will be allowed to defend her London seat.

Uncertainty about Ms Abbott's fate, the suspension of Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd RussellMoyle and Labour's decision not to endorse candidate Faiza Shaheen in Chingford and Woodford Green have led to claims that Sir Keir and his allies are carrying out a "cull" of the Left of the party.

Tories claim the row shows that Labour's election campaign has "descended into chaos".

Rishi Sunak said Labour were "focused on talking about themselves" and ought to be more "transparent" about the timeline around Ms Abbott's suspension and the subsequent investigation.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt warned that Sir Keir would struggle on the world stage to stand up against Russia if he was unable to take swift action over Ms Abbott, 70.

He accused the Labour leader of not being up to a showdown with Vladimir Putin.