General election – live: Diane Abbott ‘free’ to stand as Labour MP candidate, says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said Diane Abbott is “free” to stand as a Labour candidate in the General Election, following growing concerns over a purge of the left.

Labour is now facing anger from prominent Black personalities who have signed an open letter condemning the party’s “disgraceful” treatment of the Hackney North MP and warned of a losing loyal supporters.

The controversy continues as Labour replaced pro-Palestinian Muslim candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green Faiza Shaheen with a member of the Jewish Labour Movement Shama Tatler.

This came after much criticism by Muslim groups and the left of the party of Starmer’s position on Israel.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Sir Keir leader admitted he would work with Donald Trump if he gets into the White House despite facing an “unprecedented” situation.

He added that he “respects the decision of the court” that found Trump Donald Trump has been  guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a conspiracy to corrupt.

After days of intense speculation, Sir Keir Stamer has confirmed Diane Abbott is free to stand at the general election.

He said: “Diane was elected in 1987. The first black woman MP. She has been a trailblazer.

“She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life. The whip has obviously been restored to her now, and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”

Asked about whether he understands Ms Abbott’s intention to stand, he replied: “She’s free to go forward as a Labour candidate. The whip is back with her. It’s been restored. And of course you know she was a trailblazer for many, many years and has been a path for others to come into politics.

“So, formally a matter for the NEC, I’ve not