Sir Keir Starmer facing calls to fire Diane Abbott from Labour MP for 'hateful anti-Semitism'

24 April 2023, 07:48 | Updated: 26 April 2023, 09:49

Keir Starmer has been urged to fire Diane Abbott
Keir Starmer has been urged to fire Diane Abbott. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to expel Diane Abbott from the Labour Party making 'deeply offensive and wrong' comments suggesting Jews do not face racism.

The former shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn said Jewish people "undoubtedly experience prejudice", which is "similar to racism" but often used as if they are interchangeable.

She wrote In a letter to the Observer that "many types of white people" - including redheads - can experience this prejudice, but that they are not "all their lives" subjected to racism. "There is surely no way back for her, it’s time to kick her out for good."

The Labour Party leadership moved quickly to suspend Ms Abbott from the Labour Party after the letter, but one shadow minister called for Sir Keir to go further.

Diane Abbott
Diane Abbott. Picture: Getty

"There is surely no way back for her, it’s time to kick her out for good," they told the Sun.

A Labour MP added: “It’s time she stood down as an MP for her own sake and to do the party a favour.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party completely condemns these comments which are deeply offensive and wrong.

“The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Diane Abbott pending an investigation."

Diane Abbott suspended from Labour after remarks about Jewish people

In the letter, Ms Abbott also wrote: "In pre-civil rights America, Irish people, Jewish people and Travellers were not required to sit at the back of the bus.

"In apartheid South Africa, these groups were allowed to vote. And at the height of slavery, there were no white-seeming people manacled on the slave ships."

Read More: Labour MP says government under Keir Starmer will be one of 'real integrity'

Read More: Jeremy Corbyn accuses Keir Starmer of 'primary school stuff' after Labour leader says he's 'not my friend'

In the face of growing backlash to her comments, Ms Abbot said she wished to "wholly and unreservedly withdraw" her remarks and "disassociate" herself from them".

"The errors arose in an initial draft being sent. But there is no excuse, and I wish to apologise for any anguish caused," the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said.

"Racism takes many forms, and it is completely undeniable that Jewish people have suffered its monstrous effects, as have Irish people, Travellers and many others.

"Once again, I would like to apologise publicly for the remarks and any distress caused as a result of them."

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Picture: Alamy

Jewish groups criticised Ms Abbott strongly in the aftermath of her comments.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews called her apology “entirely unconvincing”.

Labour Against Antisemitism said: "Ms Abbott is either woefully misinformed or deliberately bigoted. Neither should be tolerated."

The Conservatives also lined up to condemn Ms Abbott's comments.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said: "Once again, Jewish people have to wake up and see a Labour MP casually spouting hateful anti-Semitism.

"Keir Starmer - are you actually going to do anything."

Former health secretary Sajid David wrote: "Appalled by this minimisation of racism against Jews and other groups who may not have a certain skin pigmentation."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

The White House has been barricaded and restaurants and stores boarded up as tensions rise over the election.

Washington DC braces for unrest as White House is barricaded and stores boarded up ahead of US election

Sir Chris Hoy said 'if you're over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor' for screening

Sir Chris Hoy calls for men to be offered prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 after his terminal diagnosis

Kamala Harris went door-knocking in Pennsylvania on the night before the election

Kamala Harris surprises residents in Pennsylvania as she goes door-knocking in final bid to win votes

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year amid as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Hundreds of people died in the devastating flooding in Spain

British man who survived Valencia floods describes hearing his neighbours’ horrifying final screams before they died

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience