Diane Abbott vows to stay on as MP as Labour descends into chaos over botched suspension

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 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. open image in gallery Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure She said: “I think Diane’s really shocked. He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “This is a very big moment, I would argue, for the Labour Party, and Diane, and Britain’s black communities, and I think they have about 48 hours to get this right.” He added: “I think they’re in danger of not only disrespecting one of the most popular MPs in modern times, but also if they get this disrespectfully wrong, it’ll also be a slap in the face for Britain’s African and Caribbean communities.” Six unions affiliated with Labour – Aslef, TSSA, Unite, NUM, CWU and FBU – called for Ms Abbott to be allowed to stand. In an indication she would not follow her ally Mr Corbyn and stand as an independent, she said: “I will be campaigning for a Labour victory.” Prime minister Rishi Sunak said Labour has to be “transparent” about Ms Abbott’s position while Tory chairman Richard Holden wrote to Sir Keir demanding answers about the process.