Abbott Promises To Stay On As MP 'As Long As Possible'

Diane Abbott has vowed to stay on as the MP for her London constituency with the row over her future threatening to derail Labour’s important announcements on health and the economy.

- DAVID MADDOX

In her first public speech on the escalating situation over her selection, which has sent the party’s election campaign into chaos, Ms Abbott told supporters she intended to stay as MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for “as long as it is possible”.

The future of the trailblazing MP, the first black woman to be elected to parliament, was thrown into confusion when she revealed she had been barred from standing again despite having the party whip on Tuesday restored following months of suspension.

But within hours, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer insisted that Ms Abbott had “not been barred” from standing as a candidate as he tried to promote Labour’s policy on cutting NHS waiting lists.

Speaking outside Hackney Town Hall last night, Ms Abbott said: “You have always stood with me in good times and bad and I will always stand with you. So I promise you that as long as it is possible, I will be the member of parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.”

Shortly after, ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn revealed he had sent a message of support to Ms Abbott as he launched his own campaign as an independent in Islington North last night.

His support came as trade unions demanded that Ms Abbott, who had been suspended over a letter she wrote to The Observer

suggesting that Jews and travellers did not suffer from racism in the same way as people of colour, should be allowed to stand again.