Sir Keir Starmer bottles it to Diane Abbott as Labour leader says party veteran CAN stand to be Labour MP

It comes just one day after Angela Rayner said the former MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington should be able to stand as a Labour candidate.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also broke ranks with Starmer to argue Abbott deserved the chance to represent Labour.

He said Abbott is a "trailblazer" with a "strong history in the Labour Party".

Asked if she should be allowed to run as a candidate, he said: “I agree with Angela.”

The day before, Starmer's deputy had said: "I don’t see any reason why Diane Abbott can’t stand as a Labour MP".

The Labour whip was restored to Abbott earlier this week, but question marks remained over whether or not she would be permitted to stand as an MP under the Labour banner at the next election.

Throughout the week, Starmer had repeatedly said "no decision" had been made on whether the Labour veteran was able stand as a Labour candidate at the upcoming election.

But speaking today, the Labour leader said: "The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate."

He praised her as a "trailblazer", saying: "Diane Abbott was elected in 1987, the first black woman MP.

"She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Is this the end of Von Der Leyen as French plot her downfall?
• Tory MP had 'excrement' posted through letter box in 'disgraceful' incident
• Starmer defends 'hypocrisy' allegations after getting PRIVATE JET to Scotland

Responding, a spokesperson for left-wing campaign group Momentum said: "You come at the queen, you better not miss.

“Diane Abbott has been bullied and abused her whole career. Starmer tried to force her out. She held firm - and won.”