MP Diane Abbott readmitted to Labour after year-long suspension

Diane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour Party following an internal investigation, the veteran MP has said.

She was suspended from the party in July last year after repeating comments about racism for which she had previously apologised.

Fellow Labour MP Joani Reid was also readmitted to the party on Thursday evening after “voluntarily” suspending herself in March following the arrest of her husband on suspicion of spying for China.

In a statement on social media, Ms Abbott said she had been “issued with a formal warning” over a separate tweet in which she referred to the Israel Defence Force as the “Jewish Defence Force”.

Apologising for the tweet, she said she had “used wording that conflates the actions of the state of Israel with the Jewish community” and was “deeply sorry for any hurt caused by that conflation”.

She added: “I have been and remain a lifelong anti-racist and remain deeply committed to opposing racism in all its forms.”

The Labour Party confirmed that MPs Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted to the party and had the Labour whip restored.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party expects the highest standards from our elected representatives and party members.

“The Party assesses any alleged breaches of such standards independently of the leadership and political interference.

“Following a process conducted under Labour Party rules and approved by the independent review board, Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted to the Labour Party and have had the Labour whip restored in the House of Commons.

“Diane Abbott has also apologised following the independent process coming to an end.

“All Labour elected representatives must be mindful at all times of their platform and the responsibilities that come with that privilege.”

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