Diane Abbott has returned to the Labour Party after her year-long suspension over an antisemitism row was lifted by Prime Minster Andy Burnham as Joani Reid also returns
Veteran MP Diane Abbott has been readmitted into the Labour Party following her year-long suspension from the party.
A Labour spokesman confirmed Ms Abbott – the longest serving MP in the Commons – was allowed back into the party’s ranks on Tuesday evening alongside another suspended MP, Joani Reid.
Both have also had the parliamentary Labour whip restored, meaning they can once again sit as Labour MPs in the House of Commons.
Ms Abbott, the first black woman to have a seat in the chamber, was suspended after she doubled down on comments about racism for which she has previously apologised.
A statement tonight confirmed: “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.”
Asked about whether she had regrets over the controversy, she told the BBC last year: “No, not at all.” Ms Abbott went on: “Clearly, there must be a difference between racism which is about colour and other types of racism because you can see a Traveller or a Jewish person walking down the street, you don’t know.
“I just think that it’s silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism. I don’t know why people would say that.”
In a post on social media tonight, the MP wrote: “Today, following a process conducted in line with party rules and approved by the independent review process I have been readmitted to the Labour party.”
She went on to say she had been “issued with a formal warning for a tweet I previously posted” – a referred to the Israeli Defense Forces as the ‘Jewish Defence Force’.
“I used wording that conflates the actions of the state of Israel with the Jewish community. I am deeply sorry for any hurt caused by that conflation and apologise for any hurt caused by it.”
She added: “I have been and remain a lifelong anti-racist and remain deeply committed to opposing racism in all of its forms.”
Ms Reid voluntarily suspended herself from the Labour whip after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
The MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, who was not personally under investigation or accused of wrongdoing, said she was “voluntarily suspending herself” from then PM Keir Starmer’s party in March. Her statement came a day after news broke that her husband David Taylor was one of the three men arrested on suspicion of spying.
The politician as said she will “not sit as a Labour MP” until a probe was concluded, and a spokesperson for the Labour Party said she was “co-operating fully” with the investigation.
Ms Reid, the granddaughter of trade unionist Jimmy Reid, served as a councillor in Lewisham for eight years before becoming an MP.
She too took to social media following the announcement, writing: “With my membership of the Parliamentary Labour Party restored, I am excited to play a full part in supporting our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, his government, and in renewing Scottish Labour.
“I have never been part of a police investigation, as a suspect or as a witness, and I am pleased that this has now been recognised. The support I have received from colleagues across the political spectrum, my constituents and my local Labour Party has been steadfast.“I am also deeply grateful to everyone who has stood by me when it was politically easier to distance themselves. You know who you are – thank you.”