Harriet Harman, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, has joined the chorus of voices advocating for the re-admittance of Diane Abbott to the party following the racist remarks made against her by a Tory donor.
Harman, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, lauded Abbott as a “trailblazer” and expressed her sadness at the prospect of Abbott ending her political career as an independent.
In an interview on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Harman reiterated her support for Keir Starmer’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.
However, she emphasized the importance of acknowledging Abbott’s contributions and reinstating her membership, highlighting Abbott’s significant role in the party’s history.
Abbott, who was suspended from the Labour Party in April amid an anti-Semitism probe, remains confident in her candidacy for the upcoming general election as the Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
She has received widespread support from her constituents and fellow Labour members, with many rallying behind her amidst the controversy.
Despite calls for her reinstatement, Abbott has been vocal about the lack of apologies from Conservative members regarding the racist remarks made by Tory donor Frank Hester.
Hester’s comments, deemed racist and inflammatory, have sparked outrage and intensified scrutiny on the Conservative Party’s handling of racial issues.
Meanwhile, Shadow frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth refrained from taking a definitive stance on Abbott’s potential re-admittance, emphasizing the need to respect the independence of the investigative process.
Ashworth emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed impartially, without undue political influence, to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
Amidst the turmoil surrounding Abbott’s suspension and the broader controversy surrounding racial remarks within the political sphere, Cabinet Minister Mark Harper faced scrutiny over the Tories’ acceptance of donations from Hester.
Harper defended Rishi Sunak’s handling of the situation, asserting that the donations predated Hester’s controversial remarks and were disclosed appropriately.
However, questions lingered regarding a potential third donation from Hester, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the Conservative Party’s fundraising practices.