Diane Abbott 'antisemitism' probe should wrap up 'swiftly', Ellie Reeves says

A senior Labour figure called on Friday for an independent investigation into Diane Abbott to wrap up “swiftly”, after its leaders diverged on how to handle the veteran MP.

Deputy leader Angela Rayner on Thursday said her personal wish was for Ms Abbott to have the Labour whip restored, after it was withdrawn last year when she appeared to diminish racism directed at Jewish, Irish and Traveller people.

But Sir Keir Starmer said the party should not pre-empt the probe into the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, which is now nearly a year old.

Labour’s Deputy National Campaign Coordinator echoed Sir.