Diane Abbott questions dodged by Jonathan Ashworth in tense grilling: ‘Why is this taking so long?!’

Speaking in 2019, Conservative donor Frank Hester is alleged to have told a private meeting that seeing Diane Abbott on TV made him "want to hate all black women" and said Abbott "she should be shot".

Party leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned Hester's comments, but said any decision regarding her return to the party would be "subject to a formal investigation".

The Labour whip was withdrawn in 2023 after suggesting Jewish, Irish and all Traveller people were not subject to racism "all their lives", in a letter to the Observer.

Appearing on GB News, Jonathan Ashworth was questioned by host Camilla Tominey on the calls for Abbott's Labour whip to be restored.

Ashworth noted there was an "independent process" and said he was "not going to second guess that independent process".

Pressed on his own "instinct" on the issue by Camilla, highlighting he has "been in politics for a long time", Ashworth referred back to the independent process, and claimed it was "not appropriate" for them to be pressured by politicians.

Camilla hit back at Ashworth, stating that "lots of people" think she shouldn't be allowed back in the party because she's made "what some think are racist remarks about Jewish people".

Asked again on whether Abbott should have the whip restored, Camilla told Ashworth the matter is a "really simple question".

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Ashworth refused to give a straight answer, responding: "It's quite right that she had the whip suspended and the process began, and that process needs to take its course.

"And I'm not going to second guess or pressure that process because it's an independent process, because that would not be fair."

Camilla grew frustrated with the Labour minister, asking: "Why is this taking so long? It's so straightforward. Should she be in the Labour Party or shouldn't she?"

Ashworth continued his defence, claiming he "going to keep giving the same answer" to the question.

Camilla suggested Ashworth "mustn't have an answer to the question" despite her asking "something that isn't complicated".

She asked him for a final time: "She's a woman you've worked with for years - should she be back in the party? It's your personal opinion."

Ashworth again refused to answer the question, responding: "It's nothing to do with me. If it's independent, you shouldn't try to pressurise it from outside. That's the point of it being an independent process."