UK's Labour says Abbott can run in election after days of confusion
World
Diane Abbott is Britain's longest serving Black Member of Parliament
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party said that Diane Abbott, Britain's first Black woman lawmaker, would be able to run in the July 4 election after confusion over her candidacy sparked a backlash within the party.
Labour leader Keir Starmer told reporters that Diane Abbott was "free to go forward" to contest her seat in northeast London.
Abbott, Britain's longest serving Black member of parliament who was first elected in 1987, had been suspended by the party for over a year after she said Jewish, Irish and Traveller people did not face racism all their lives.
On Friday, prominent Black Britons signed an open letter criticising the treatment of Abbott.
Abbott, who apologised for the remarks, was reinstated to the party this week but media reports had said she would be barred from running. Labour have not responded to a request for comment.
