can you tell us -- diane abbott. . ._ -- diane abbott... she is still speaking _ -- diane abbott...— -- diane abbott... she is still speaking at the _ -- diane abbott... she is still speaking at the moment - -- diane abbott... she is still speaking at the moment and l -- diane abbott... she is still i speaking at the moment and i'm -- diane abbott... she is still - speaking at the moment and i'm going to get out of the way and let you see what's going on because as you say we are outside hackney town hall, which is part of the constituency diane abbott is represented for 37 years and this is the first time we have heard her speak publicly today about what is going over the labour she has been telling the 200 or so supporters here that she is shocked by what's happened over the past 2a hours, that the labour party that she found out yesterday that she wasn't going to be able to stand for the labour party, she has been telling people here that she has not been given a reason but she thinks ultimately that labour simply want to exclude her from that labour simply want to exclude herfro

no, i thinkthere's _ abbott latest news. is he? no, i think there's been _ abbott latest news.rocess which has been gone through here regarding diane and what she wrote in that letter last year. and i think what she wrote in the letter was wrong and they was right to be an investigation into it. i think i'm glad that the process has now come to a conclusion and she has got the whip back because no one wants to be in the situation. keir whip back because no one wants to be in the situation.— in the situation. keir starmer told the bbc on _ in the situation. keir starmer told the bbc on friday _ in the situation. keir starmer told the bbc on friday diane _ in the situation. keir starmer told the bbc on friday diane abbott i in the situation. keir starmer told the bbc on friday diane abbott is| the bbc on friday diane abbott is going through and being part of and getting to the end of a disciplinary process. that process has been in the hands of the chief whip since february or march. who does the chief whip report to? the february or march. who does the chief whip report to?— feb

the situation with diane abbott — circumspect. the situation with diane abbott is _ circumspect. _ circumspect. the situation with diane abbott is no decision i circumspect. the situation with diane abbott is no decision is l circumspect. the situation with i diane abbott is no decision is being taken and we have to remember that she was a trailblazer as an mp. in this labor activist proudly on the left of the party has been banned too. i left of the party has been banned too. ., ,., left of the party has been banned too. ., , ~ ., left of the party has been banned too. ., , .,, left of the party has been banned too. ., , ~ ., , ., too. i am so shocked to be treated this badly after _ too. i am so shocked to be treated this badly after being _ too. i am so shocked to be treated this badly after being such - too. i am so shocked to be treated this badly after being such an i this badly after being such an active — this badly after being such an active member of the parties. do to run in a crucial _ active member of the parties. do to run in a crucial london _ active member of the

diane abbott is really angry because she is made _ abbott is really angry because she is made it— abbottformat— retire for the because nothing formal had happened. but there was one of— formal had happened. but there was one of her— formal had happened. but there was one of her allies who were the leadership, trying to construct this golden— leadership, trying to construct this golden bridge. it was built on a pretty— golden bridge. it was built on a pretty flimsy framework.- golden bridge. it was built on a pretty flimsy framework. alex, the recent nick— pretty flimsy framework. alex, the recent nick is _ pretty flimsy framework. alex, the recent nick is talking _ pretty flimsy framework. alex, the recent nick is talking about - pretty flimsy framework. alex, the recent nick is talking about the i pretty flimsy framework. alex, the | recent nick is talking about the nec being involved is because we're in the period where the central parties or labour parties case, they can impose or take more control in constituencies like who the candidates again to be these places. yes, the final deci

says that diane abbott should be l says that diane abbott should be allowed — says that diane abbottabbott should be allowed to stand _ says that diane abbott should be allowed to stand if _ says that diane abbott should be allowed to stand if she _ says that diane abbott should be allowed to stand if she wants - says that diane abbott should be allowed to stand if she wants to. i allowed to stand if she wants to. anas— allowed to stand if she wants to. anas sarwar— allowed to stand if she wants to. anas sarwar standing _ allowed to stand if she wants to. anas sarwar standing beside - allowed to stand if she wants to. anas sarwar standing beside you allowed to stand if she wants to. - anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees _ anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees with — anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees with angela _ anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees with angela rayner. - anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees with angela rayner. do - anas sarwar standing beside you says| he agrees with angela rayner. do you agree _ he agrees with ang

is diane abbott going to be a candidate in this election or not?event in worcester and this is where and how he said that. no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott. - the process that we were going. through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day. so, she's a member of- the parliamentary labour party and no decision has. been taken barring her. 0k, nikc, what's your theory about what's gone on? well, what's so magnificent about this is diane abbott this morning saying that "i've been barred" and keir starmer saying diane abbott has not been barred is that they're both right. and the reason why they're both right is that keir starmer is right, that the national executive committee of the labour party, which at this stage vets and decides on candidates, has not considered diane abbott's case because she hasn't applied to be a candidate. were she to apply, every single ally of keir starmer i have spoken to have told me that she would not be allowed to be a candidate. and the whole point of what had been going on in the last few week

abbott. >> do you feel comfortable about what's happened here with diane abbott?ne on for a very long time. >> but should she be allowed to stand for labour. >> but should she be allowed to stand for labour . and. stand for labour. and. what the heck are the lib dems playing at? >> also, i've been a centrist conservative all my life, but i think the party's really changed, and i think the last 14 years has done a real damage to the country. can you spot what's wrong with that clip? >> plus , why has rishi sunak >> plus, why has rishi sunak copped it for this i wonder? also, people were chanting death to america. >> some people were not everyone, but some people were . everyone, but some people were. >> you won't believe what a prominent muslim figure has to say on that. on my panel this evening, it's the director of the popular conservatives, mark littlewood, activist and landlord adam brooks, and author and journalist rebecca reid. oh, yes. okay. now what is in these balloons? there's no prizes for the winner. but guess anyway, what was in that balloon? get ready

to diane abbott is that no decision has been taken _ abbott is that no decision has been taken to— abbottsion has been taken to bar her.— taken to bar her. another day another ed — taken to bar her. another day another ed davey _ taken to bar her. another day another ed davey election - taken to bar her. another day l another ed davey election stunt taken to bar her. another day - another ed davey election stunt but is it working? and we speak to the greens. can this be a breakthrough election for them? joining us today forformer election for them? joining us today for former conservative cabinet minister, shadow business minister, liberal democrat and daily telegraph, columnist. this is politics live, election 202a. welcome to viewers on bbc two, bbc news and the iplayer. parliament has been dissolved which means politicians, are no longer mps but candidates. ordinary members of the public standing in their respectful constituents for their parties but they are welcome all the same. let's start for tax and spend and this headline on bbc news. labour rules out raising vat after was starte

diane abbott. >> do you feel comfortable about what's happened here with diane abbott? >> no. not particularly. i think this has gone on for a very long time. but should she be allowed to stand for labour? >> and one of my teachers actually suggested to me that i look at apprenticeships. so i appued look at apprenticeships. so i applied for a number of apprenticeships. but the one i. >> the tories will scrap mickey mouse degrees. the lib dems ed davey's running a wheelie . weird campaign. >> i'm not asking for anything other than i've done them some huge favours over the years as a party. give me something back. we might have a conversation. >> is nigel farage about to do a deal with the tories? >> people were chanting death to america. >> some people were not everyone, but some people were. >> find out what a prominent member of the muslim faith had to say about that. and can you spot what's wrong with this? >> i've been a centrist conservative all my life , but i conservative all my life, but i think the party's really changed, and i think the last 14 years has done a real d

_ heard what you are saying about diane abbott making _ heard what you are saying about diane abbottott making it clear tonight that she intends to _ diane abbott making it clear tonight that she intends to stand _ diane abbott making it clear tonight that she intends to stand so - diane abbott making it clear tonight that she intends to stand so the - that she intends to stand so the view— that she intends to stand so the view from — that she intends to stand so the view from the _ that she intends to stand so the view from the left _ that she intends to stand so the view from the left is _ that she intends to stand so the view from the left is that - that she intends to stand so the view from the left is that is - that she intends to stand so the view from the left is that is a i view from the left is that is a purge — view from the left is that is a purge going _ view from the left is that is a purge going on— view from the left is that is a purge going on and - view from the left is that is a purge going on and they- view from the left is that is a| purge going on and they note v

she was mp diane abbott.he was suspended over allegations of anti—semitism and there were violent clashes between pro—palestinian demonstrators and police on whitehall last night. >> dozens were arrested and three officers injured . three officers injured. >> now it's a huge day of news today and we're very keen for your views on all of these stories, perhaps most particularly the breaking news in the last few minutes that there'll be a strike in the week leading up to the general election. how very convenient. >> it is rather convenient. and this all comes on the day that the labour party are pushing the narrative that they are the ones to save the nhs. so go figure. is this about politics rather than the benefit of junior doctors necessarily? what do you think ? think? >> and yet they'll be hoping that some people think that well, if, if, if the unions hate the tories and they're the funders of the labour party, they're in with labour, well, maybe there'll be fewer strikes under labour. >> i guess the quest

now on the diane abbott debacle . now on the diane abbott debacle. said that she had been banned from standing as a labour candidate in july's election. but check out what sir keir starmer said when he was asked if miss abbott was indeed barred. >> no, that's not true. no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott . the process that diane abbott. the process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip. the other day. so she's a member of the parliamentary labour party and no decision has been taken barring her. >> well, let's go back now to our political editor, chris hope, on that battle. just to get his reaction on this. chris, sir keir starmer must be pulling his hair out today was meant to be about nhs reform , a central be about nhs reform, a central fighting ground for the labour party, where they hope to make big gains. and yet here we are once again , reacting to the once again, reacting to the labour hard left . labour hard left. >> yes, it is somewhat confusing. this picture. don't forget diane abbott wrote a letter t

diane abbott.a big moment- diane abbott. no question this defection is a big moment in. diane abbott. no question this . defection is a big moment in this campaign — defection is a big moment in this campaign. before _ defection is a big moment in this campaign. before it— defection is a big moment in this campaign. before it happened, l defection is a big moment in this i campaign. before it happened, they were a _ campaign. before it happened, they were a bit— campaign. before it happened, they were a bit coy— campaign. before it happened, they were a bit coy about _ campaign. before it happened, they were a bit coy about more _ campaign. before it happened, they were a bit coy about more people i campaign. before it happened, they. were a bit coy about more people who would _ were a bit coy about more people who would be _ were a bit coy about more people who would be actually _ were a bit coy about more people who would be actually coming _ were a bit coy about more people who would be actually

i mean , diane abbott outside it?bott outside hackney town hall last night, surrounded by supporters, looks very defiant, looking like she's digging in. and i'm making this a matter of the fact she's a black woman , that somehow the black woman, that somehow the party is intrinsically racist. this is going to get worse and worse. what needs to be done, sean? there was a lot of talk about diane abbott being convinced to stand down, to take a nice peerage, to go into her dotage quietly. now, that just can't happen, can it? >> well, i mean, i mean, it will go away because they have to nominate a candidate by next week and it'll either be diane abbott or it won't. and, you know, that that will be the end of it one way or the other. but, i mean, they really should put an end to this before then again , when one way or the other either say that she's the candidate or say that she's not not the candidate and nominate somebody else, but dragging this out like this is not doing not doing anybody any favours . and doing anybody

diane abbott was elected in 1987, the this. diane abbott was elected in 1987. the first — this.his. diane abbott was elected in i 1987, the first black woman and be. she's— 1987, the first black woman and be. she's been— 1987, the first black woman and be. she's been a — 1987, the first black woman and be. she's been a trailblazer, _ 1987, the first black woman and be. she's been a trailblazer, she's- she's been a trailblazer, she's carved — she's been a trailblazer, she's carved a — she's been a trailblazer, she's carved a path— she's been a trailblazer, she's carved a path for— she's been a trailblazer, she's carved a path for other - she's been a trailblazer, she's carved a path for other people she's been a trailblazer, she's. carved a path for other people to come _ carved a path for other people to come into— carved a path for other people to come into politics _ carved a path for other people to come into politics and _ carved a path for other people to come into politics and public- carved a path for other people to| come into politics and public life. the whip — come in

diane abbott was i from parliament. diane abbott was suspended from _ from parliament.the parliamentary| suspended from the parliamentary labour party after saying jewish, irish and travel people do not face racism all their lives. she apologised and was readmitted to the parliamentary party the other day. enter next labour's deputy leader telling sky news diane abbott should be able to stand again for the party. if be able to stand again for the -a . y ., be able to stand again for the -a . , ., ., be able to stand again for the party. if you want to say she should be able to stay. _ party. if you want to say she should be able to stay. diane _ party. if you want to say she should be able to stay. diane abbott - party. if you want to say she should be able to stay. diane abbott has . be able to stay. diane abbott has been a trailblazer, 37 years, the first black female mp in parliament. she has shown people like me that you can be yourself. keir she has shown people like me that you can be yourself.— you can be yourself. keir starmer, thou~h, you can be yourself. keir

since 1935, but they say diane abbott — since 1935, but they say diane abbott is _ since 1935, but theyay diane abbott is notjeremy corbyn. she is regarded, _ abbott is notjeremy corbyn. she is regarded, these mainstream people are saying. — regarded, these mainstream people are saying, as an icon of the labour movement, — are saying, as an icon of the labour movement, the first black woman elected _ movement, the first black woman elected to— movement, the first black woman elected to parliament, being there for 37— elected to parliament, being there for 37 years, completely different, and you _ for 37 years, completely different, and you are — for 37 years, completely different, and you are getting this wrong, they are saying — and you are getting this wrong, they are saying. some on the left are now saying _ are saying. some on the left are now saying that _ are saying. some on the left are now saying that they believe that they are being put back into what is called — are being put back into what is called the _ are being put back into what is called the sealed two, that is the phra

diane abbott should have the _ but diane abbott can't?ut diane abbott can't? diane abbott should have the whip restored, i i should have the whip restored, i have said that since last year. is this a strategic mistake and why is keir starmer not allowing the whip to be restored? i keir starmer not allowing the whip to be restored?— to be restored? i don't know the discussants. _ to be restored? i don't know the discussants. but _ to be restored? i don't know the discussants. but it _ to be restored? i don't know the discussants. but it is _ to be restored? i don't know the discussants. but it is a - to be restored? i don't know the discussants. but it is a mistake. | to be restored? i don't know the| discussants. but it is a mistake. i think she should _ discussants. but it is a mistake. i think she should be _ discussants. but it is a mistake. i think she should be back - discussants. but it is a mistake. i think she should be back in i discussants. but it is a mistake. i think she should be back in the l think she should be back in the

miss abbott as a trailblazer. the green party set out its vision to tackle the cost of living, improve housing and treat britain's polluted waterways. today in its campaign launch , co—leader caledonia told launch, co—leader caledonia told the event in bristol this afternoon that labour had backtracked on its green investments and that the greens role in the new parliament would be critical. recent polls put the party at 6, and it's hoping to elect four mps at the general election . businesses hiring election. businesses hiring foreign workers should be subject to an employer immigration tax, according to the reform party, their leader, richard tice, said today the new levy would help what he called a deadly addiction to cheap overseas labour. joined by the party's honorary president, nigel farage, they claim that mass migration had driven down wages for british citizens. i think for too many people, work doesn't pay and that's what we've got to do. >> we've got to overcome this addiction. if you want to bring in

miss abbott was, of meantime.iss abbott was, of course a close ally of the former leader of the labour party , jeremy corbyn, and served party, jeremy corbyn, and served as his shadow home secretary it's unclear now whether she will or she won't contest her seat in hackney north and stoke newington . an inquiry into newington. an inquiry into crimes committed by paediatric nurse and serial killer lucy letby will not be live streamed to the public. letby was sentenced to 14 whole life orders for murdering seven babies in her care and attempting to kill six others. lawyers for the families of her victims had argued for the inquiry to be streamed in an effort to counter the spread of what they called grossly offensive conspiracy theories. but the inquiry's chairwoman says there's a risk of breaching court orders which prevent the identification of several people involved. it comes after articles appeared in us media questioning some evidence being put forward in the case. and in new york, jurors have begun their deli

. support of diane abbott.p for hackney, diane abbott, told the cheering crowds, as long as possible, i'll be your mp for hackney north and stoke newington. i'll not let myself be intimidated. well, does this prose pose a problem for labour? we'll be getting that to that discussion in a little bit. but day seven of an unexpected election campaign now is almost over. election campaign now is almost over . labour's election campaign now is almost over. labour's big nhs announcement was overshadowed by confusion and controversy over the party's hokey cokey handling of diane abbott's suspension. tonight, no one knows if she'll be allowed to stand or not. she's schrodinger's candidate . she's schrodinger's candidate. meanwhile, the liberal democrats have been in wales and the west country talking about farming. ed davey has swapped paddleboarding for bicycling today, and the tories have another eye catching policy. well, an end to mickey mouse degrees. that's what they're calling it, saving the taxpayer and all that

jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. they are jeremy corbyn and diane abbott.g friends. jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. tie1: are long—standing friends. they jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. ti3:1 are long—standing friends. they have been through this together, and really support each other. i think it's quite lovely to see. i would love to see more support for diane with other mp5, such as david lambie and all the other mps who have been through this journey with her, just to show their support, really. and do exactly whatjeremy corbyn is doing. at the end of the day, it's all about that solidarity to show that this is a respected person, this is someone who's done so much for everybody and she paved the way for everybody and she paved the way for those black female mps as well, to be in the position they are in, and i think a lot of support out whatjeremy corbyn is doing will be really appreciated. what what jeremy corbyn is doing will be really appreciated.— really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's _ really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's lega

that all been talking about diane abbott . this talking about diane abbott.acle is completely overshadowed. week one of the general election trail. is it the right thing to do to bring diane abbott back, or is it yet another u—turn from keir starmer? >> well, i would definitely disagree with the characterisation of the situation there. >> as you just have it. >> as you just have it. >> i've spoken to many hundreds of people on doorsteps since, rishi sunak decided to finally, at last call the general election and they've spoken to me about lots of things, the state of their local a&e, what's happening for their kids in school and i definitely would disagree with your characterisation of the discussion that's happening in the general election as it is. you know, this hasn't been an easy situation for anybody. and you described earlier the problem with the letter that was written in diane's name, but she's gone through that disciplinary process and done the necessary training that was asked of her. as i understand it . so this process is dealt with now and in sn

including wednesday's rally on diane abbott's ..including wednesday's rally on diane abbott's home turfrliament. tonight, the veteran left—winger has told me whilst keir starmer�*s intervention is "positive", she doesn't want to speak on camera until after her candidacy is rubber—stamped next week. and we still don't know if she will definitely stand. if she'll definitely stand. it just reconfirms what we know about keir starmer, _ and that's that he constantly changes his mind. _ and it's clear that - angela rayner is in charge of his party and not him. in hackney north, this row has left some voters unhappy. as the first black british female mp in history, the amount she has done for the community and for those that don't have a voice is something that has resonated with so many of us around here. i think it's pretty awful, really, how they've treated her. i don't particularly think she has been treated unfairly. _ she has said things in the past |which are not on the political, | not politically correct. the tussle over who will be labour's candidate in this seat is all about the age

abbott. ~ , ., ,. ., diane abbott. party. we will be talking with our correspondent who has been travelling with sir keir starmer in a moment or two. we were watching the labour leader unveiling yet another labour launch on the nhs, so we will talk to leila on the programme in the next couple of minutes. meanwhile, the conservatives say they would close university courses offering what rishi sunak has described as a rip—off, and instead offer apprenticeships. described as a rip—off, and instead offerapprenticeships. labour described as a rip—off, and instead offer apprenticeships. labour has described the plans as laughable. the liberal democrats said the shockingly low pay on many apprenticeships was a sign of a broken system. the prime minister has been speaking about the plans during a campaign visit to cornwall. wonderful to be in cornwall this morning — wonderful to be in cornwall this morning having come on the overnight sleeper— morning having come on the overnight sleeper and _ morning having come on the overni

diane abbott, but also by pushing some _ diane abbott, but also by pushing some candidates?ofj some candidates? the flip side of course _ some candidates? the flip side of course is — some candidates? the flip side of course is mild _ some candidates? the flip side of course is mild ahead, _ some candidates? the flip side of course is mild ahead, he - some candidates? the flip side of course is mild ahead, he wants i course is mild ahead, he wants people — course is mild ahead, he wants people who _ course is mild ahead, he wants people who are _ course is mild ahead, he wants people who are going - course is mild ahead, he wants people who are going to - course is mild ahead, he wants people who are going to be - course is mild ahead, he wants - people who are going to be competent and loyal. _ people who are going to be competent and loyal. as— people who are going to be competent and loyal. as he — people who are going to be competent and loyal, as he sees— people who are going to be competent and loyal, as he sees it. _ people who are going to be competent and loyal, as

i abbott and her role will be in the party -- ongoing drama.- abbott and her role will be in the partyy --eole will party -- ongoing drama. i think many peeple will be — party -- ongoing drama. i think many peeple will be very — party -- ongoing drama. i think many people will be very concerned - party -- ongoing drama. i think many people will be very concerned about l people will be very concerned about the way that diane abbott has been treated. she's obviously been a loyal member of the labour party in westminster for approaching a0 years. as well as an enormous around of respect, the first black woman mp who was elected and therefore, she has that significance which i think many people look to and she is seen by many people in the ethnic minority communities and beyond as something of a role model. she has found herself tied up in a very protracted situation which arose out of what i think we would all probably agree was an unwise comment that she made. but the way in which the labour party has treated her and the labour party has treated her and the way in which the labour party

there are competing stories between keir starmer and diane abbott.now is there is an almighty row taking place between factio of the labour party and it has completely overshadowed their campaign today. what diana has done tonight at hackney town hall become part of her constituency is seeing publicly what she has been saying privately today, which is she thinks she had been banned from standing for the seat she has held for 37 years. she is blaming the leadership, saying the leadership just doesn't want her in parliament. and she is making it absolutely clear she doesn't want to stand. it is interesting because there has been sort of a rumor, doing the rounds for a few weeks, that labour was working on a deal to let diana back into the party, the expectation that she would call it a day in the general election. it doesn't sound like she wants to stand out at all, says that she will stay the mp here as long as possible. so it feels to me two things. firstly, she has left the door open to standing as an independent mp even though she is not engaging w

on diane abbott . of course, she was the abbott.. she's a huge, huge figure . and she was suspended figure. and she was suspended over a piece that she wrote for over a piece that she wrote for over a piece that she wrote for over a year. she was only readmitted to the party a couple of days ago, but she says that she is being banned from standing and she is deeply, deeply unhappy about that. she's saying she's going to fight to stand to represent her constituents for the labour party. now, sir keir starmer is saying, no, that is not the case. no decision has been made. a final decision will have to be made by the nec, the ruling body of the labour party , by next of the labour party, by next tuesday, but also lloyd russell—moyle, one of the corbyn supporters, and has now been suspended over allegations of something that he's alleged to have done about 7 or 8 years ago. we don't have the details and also pfizer, shaheen, she thought she was going to stand as the labour candidate in chingford . and that, of course, chingford. and tha

i was in the party including the behemoth that is diane abbott.— that is diane abbott.is a fair assessment of the way this has been handled? i of the way this has been handled? i think it has been handled very bizarrely _ think it has been handled very bizarrely. they could have got on top of _ bizarrely. they could have got on top of this— bizarrely. they could have got on top of this from the beginning. just thinking _ top of this from the beginning. just thinking about diane abbott, they did this _ thinking about diane abbott, they did this back door deal and unfortunately, just to clarify, they .ave unfortunately, just to clarify, they gave diane abbott a back door deal saying _ gave diane abbott a back door deal saying we _ gave diane abbott a back door deal saying we will reinstall the web and then wherr— saying we will reinstall the web and then when it comes to the election you will_ then when it comes to the election you will stand down. but then the story— you will stand down. but then the story leaked, there was a huge feeling — story leaked, there was a huge

i mean, i think what the dynamic abbott — mean, i think what the dynamic abbott example, the questioneen as a question— this not so much being seen as a question of— this not so much being seen as a question of the party approach to imitate _ question of the party approach to imitate him in touch —— anti—semitism, but there they have deemed _ anti—semitism, but there they have deemed that it was enough for her to -et deemed that it was enough for her to get the _ deemed that it was enough for her to get the whip back. so she apologised and went— get the whip back. so she apologised and went to anti—semitism training or awareness courses as is and reported _ or awareness courses as is and reported. and therefore they said that she — reported. and therefore they said that she can have the whip back. so, you know. _ that she can have the whip back. so, you know, there were many people who will absolutely criticise that and say that — will absolutely criticise that and say that that is not going to be taking — say that that is not going to be taking anti—semitism seriously but at the _ ta

some breaking news on diane abbott.ing you a clip of what he has said in the coming minutes. diane abbott is now free to go forward as a labour candidate, that is from sir keir starmer, the leader of the labour party. it comes after a lot of controversy over whether diane abbott was going to be allowed to continue to fight her seat. she was readmitted as a labour mp after an inquiry, the former shadow home secretary had been suspended in april 2023 after saying jewish and irish people don�*t face racism all their lives and has ascension would have meant she could not stand. party officials had tried to broker a deal in return for standing down. she was given the labour whip back but the mp indicated she had been told she was not allowed to fight for her seat for this election. but it seems after days of this dominating labour headlines, a lot of questions about how this has been handled, the leadership has come out and said diane abbott is free to stand as a labour candidate. until now the leader of the party had said i

ms abbott has yet to say if she'll stand. joe pike reports. coming. but it may have been the deputy leader's support for diane abbott, as well as the scottish leader's sympathy towards her, that pushed keir starmer to act. angela rayner down here on the front | row says that diane abbott should be | allowed to stand if she wants to. anas sarwar standing beside you says he agrees with angela rayner. - do you agree with them - or are you sticking to the line that no decision has been taken? well, no decision has been taken, so that's the factual position. no decision to bar diane. this afternoon that changed. she is free to go forward as a labour candidate. the whip is back with her, it's been restored. senior labour insiders concede this week's events have been a distraction. chanting: we stand with diane! including wednesday's rally on diane abbott's home turf of hackney. theyjust want me excluded from parliament. tonight the veteran left—winger has told me whilst keir starmer�*s intervention is "positive", she doesn't want to speak on camera

abbott.e came back as a labour mp, but she would then retire with grace and dignity from parliament. that was torpedoed when someone within the labour party not, i hasten to add, the leader's office, said that she wouldn't be allowed to stand under any circumstances . keir allowed to stand under any circumstances. keir has allowed to stand under any circumstances . keir has now allowed to stand under any circumstances. keir has now said no decision has been made and technically that's true. it's for the nec next tuesday. but i actually hope, given the risks of this distracting from from labour's positive campaign for change, that she is allowed to stand next tuesday before we bnngin stand next tuesday before we bring in our other guests. >> bill, if i can pick you up on a couple of points in. good morning to you. firstly you do not know it was whether it was starmers office that briefed that story, which was on the front page of the times. it was written by a very authoritative correspondent

yes, diane abbott served in jeremy corbyn's _ abbott?jeremy corbyn's shadow cabinet, i abbott? yes, diane abbott served in jeremy corbyn's shadow cabinet, a l jeremy corbyn's shadow cabinet, a friend ofjeremy corbyn and she represents the seat not too far away in hackney. but she also has been suspended from the parliamentary labour party, which would mean she is ineligible to stand as a labour candidate unless the labour whip is restored to her. keir starmer suggested this morning we should get a decision on that relatively soon, because byjune the 4th, labour has to announce its candidates who are contesting the general election. a disciplinary inquiry is still going on into comments she had made about jewish people not necessarily suffering racism their entire lives. she has apologised to that and there are people in different wings of the labour party, the former deputy leader and the current deputy leader who would like to see her restore to the labour party and able to stand as a candidate. it will be a matter of days i think befor

no, that's not true, no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott.g through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day, so she's a member of the parliamentary labour party, and no decision has been ta ken barring her. also out on the campaign trail the prime minister, who said it was time to unpack the truth. the labour party have been telling everybody this investigation into diane abbott is ongoing, it now appears it concluded months ago, so really, i guess it's a question for them to clear this all up, what happened when and be transparent with people about it. the scottish national party says she has been treated disgracefully. the liberal democrats say it is a matter for labour. diane abbott is seen as a trailblazer, an important figure in the party's story, and the whole saga has caused some unease, even anger, in labour's ranks, but she has been critical of the current labour leadership, while also having been a close ally of the former leader, jeremy corbyn. so while this may all look like an unedifying mess, labour's top ranks perh

the diane abbott row has changed that.s has been damaging and distracting from the key campaign messages. others say it supports keir starmer�*s key argument that over the last five years, labour has changed. the final decision on diane abbott's future lies with the national executive. but for now, herjourney representing this community could soon come to an end. junior doctors in england will be taking industrial action again, just a week before the election. the five—day strike will begin at 7am onjune 27th and end early on tuesday 2nd ofjuly, just two days before election day. it means there'll be thousands more hospital appointments and treatments cancelled. it's their 11th strike since march last year, as hugh pym reports. it started in march last year. junior doctors in england out on strike in their dispute over pay. by the summer, walk—outs were continuing, but for a time with talks under way, there were hopes of a settlement. by february this year with the tenth strike, the dispute wasn't settled. then came mediat

they know who diane abbott is. she has pushed the boundaries — diane abbott is.me and as a trailblazer. you want to see her stand? i— time and as a trailblazer. you want to see her stand? iwill— time and as a trailblazer. you want to see her stand? i will not - time and as a trailblazer. you want to see her stand? i will not speak. to see her stand? i will not speak for her. to see her stand? i will not speak for her- if — to see her stand? i will not speak for her. if she _ to see her stand? i will not speak for her. if she wants _ to see her stand? i will not speak for her. if she wants to _ to see her stand? i will not speak for her. if she wants to stand - to see her stand? i will not speak for her. if she wants to stand as l to see her stand? i will not speakj for her. if she wants to stand as a candidate, — for her. if she wants to stand as a candidate, there should be nothing to stop _ candidate, there should be nothing to stop her at this point. she was readmitted as the labour mp for hackney— readmitted as the labour mp for hackney south at that point. i

then we hear that diane abbott _ december. then we hear that diane abbott was — december..— absolutely clear. but she is currently — absolutely clear. but she is currently a _ absolutely clear. but she is currently a labour - absolutely clear. but she is currently a labour mp. i absolutely clear. but she is currently a labour mp. no, absolutely clear. but she is i currently a labour mp. no, no, absolutely clear. but she is - currently a labour mp. no, no, this is aood currently a labour mp. no, no, this is good for— currently a labour mp. no, no, this is good for you. _ currently a labour mp. no, no, this is good for you, ros. _ currently a labour mp. no, no, this is good for you, ros. it _ currently a labour mp. no, no, this is good for you, ros. it detracts i is good for you, ros. it detracts attention from the appalling start that rishi sunak has had. you see again today he was asked for questions about —— asked a question about a mother who had died during the pandemic, at a time where he was partying at number ten. and he dealt with it in a terrible way. he is so unab

the diane abbott row has changed that.aging and distracting from the key campaign messages. others say it supports keir starmer�*s key argument that over the last five years, labour has changed. the final decision on diane abbott's future lies with the national executive. but for now, herjourney representing this community could soon come to an end. rishi sunak has been campaigning and says his party would replace what he's called university degrees. and fun apprenticeships instead. our political editor chris mason has been following the prime minister on his campaign trained today. bodman and cornwall. one week into the general election campaign. and the general election campaign. and the verdict from some here... it’s the verdict from some here... it's ok really. — the verdict from some here... it's ok really. i _ the verdict from some here... it's ok really. i do — the verdict from some here... it�*s ok really, i do a good idea to have it. 0k really, i do a good idea to have it. f 0k really, i do a good idea to have it.

the veteran mp diane abbott has been reinstated by labour — after she was suspended last year durings. but it's unclear tonight whether she will or can stand for the party at the general election. the hackney north and stoke newington mp, who was first elected in 1987, was suspended after suggesting that jewish, irish and traveller people did not face racism "all their lives". it's understood that party officials had tried to broker a deal by which she would be readmitted in return for standing down. here's our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. diane abbott, campaigner, trailblazer, and over a0 years she has been a fixture on the left of politics, not afraid to criticise her own party, like the rack wall, whenjeremy her own party, like the rack wall, when jeremy corbyn her own party, like the rack wall, whenjeremy corbyn became party leader she became shadow home secretary —— iraq war. 30 months ago she was suspended by labour and this was on 1997, the day she became the first black woman elected to be an mp. -- 1987. first black woman elected to be an mp- -- 1981— first b

and diane abbott, will she .et a year. and diane abbott, will she get a _ a year.it up. we have got advance plans to do so. without being complacent, i know that we have to be ready to hit the ground running, prepared for government. we will pick that up, run with it from day one. we will certainly, after the first year be in position to show the real difference it is capable of making, thatis difference it is capable of making, that is why our plans are not going to be begun on day one of government, they are already begun. 0n diane abbott there is not much i can add, no decision has been taken to bar her nec will take a decision. we got the logo for a great british energy. _ we got the logo for a great british energy, the website, but we still do not know— energy, the website, but we still do not know where it is going to be. why are — not know where it is going to be. why are you not telling us where it will be? _ why are you not telling us where it will be? is— why are you not telling us where it will be? is it because there are no votes _ will be? is it becaus

at that event where diane abbott hasjust finished speaking, i abbott has just finished speaking, thankd "rip—off" university degrees and fund 100,000 more apprenticeships instead. the south—west is a key battleground for the conservatives. 0ur political editor chris mason has been following the prime minister on his campaign train today and sent this report from dunkeswell in devon. bodmin in cornwall, one week into the general election campaign. and the verdict from some folk here? it is ok, really. i think it is a good idea to have it. they are looking for your vote, of course, but ijust think they are fighting with each other and it is ridiculous. what do you make of the whole election fun and games? it is a total nightmare. i can't bear it. i can't watch television... it isjust dreadful. you can't be telling me you're not watching television! i am trying not to. planes and policies, trains and yet more trains. the prime minister arriving in penzance this morning, not looking too rough after a night on the sleeper from london. first up, a rail maintenance deeper to first up, a rail

and let's be honest, the only reason for that is because diane abbott happens to because diane abbott be black, right? and she happens to be a black female labour mp. and i think personally that's disgraceful. i don't think she should be in front line politics. i think the things she said about, jews, about white people, about chairman mao and his disastrous genocide in china , i think are completely outrageous. so, no, i don't think this is a great day. >> paul embery i share her party. i don't share her politics. the word trailblazer has been used a lot, and i think that's right. she is a trailblazer and it's been really badly handled. i think she should be allowed to stand. i think she's earned the right to stand, having been the mp for that constituency for so long. some of the things that she said over the years, matt's right are frankly barmy, but the labour party is a broad church and she is probably just at the margins. she's right up against the wall of that broad church. i would say, the left hand wall, and i think a lot of mainstream labour party people don't necessarily su

in february, former president trump visited shelby park with governor abbott.the same day, president biden was also at the texas border in brownsville. >> instead of playing politics, why don't we just get together and get it done. >> president biden says if republicans were serious about securing the border, they would not have rejected a bipartisan immigration deal in the senate in february after former president trump opposed it. that deal would have increased funding for the border patrol and required the president to expel all migrants crossing illegally during surges like the one at shelby park in december. the latest battle between texas and washington concerns a new law governor abbott signed authorizing texas' more than 2,700 law enforcement agencies to arrest migrants for illegally crossing the border. texas judges would then order migrants to return to mexico or serve time, bypassing the federal immigration system entirely. critics of the law say it is so broadly written, it fails to define when authorities can stop someone. we asked lieutenant oliva

well, diane abbott , of course, was the first abbott, of course, was the first black woman ever to beitical giant. but she was suspended from the labour party for about a year over an article that she wrote that said that basically irish people, travellers and jews did not experience racism in the same way as black people. now, it turns out the investigation into that is reported to have concluded months ago. she apologised straight away and she did a course, but the labour whip was only given back to her about three days ago. and just before that happened , the news broke that happened, the news broke that happened, the news broke that she understood that she was going to be barred from standing to run to represent her constituency in the next election. now there's been a massive row over the last three days. sir keir starmer has, up until about 20 minutes ago held to the position that it is not his call. it's a decision for the national executive committee that sort of rules the roost of the labour party. if you like, that decision will be taken on tuesday that she is not barred fro

the i news have abbott flank. the i news have abbott dares starmer try to stop me.d finally the daily star stirred world war. i'm not sure that's appropriate . they were that's appropriate. they were front pages . front pages. >> so we're going to start unusually with a metro scott cynical election doctor strike. >> and there's a photo of a doctor , what's their name? doctor, what's their name? robert lawrenson. pronouns because i thought that was someone who might be female, but anyway, that doctor said, he says that they're going to strike from june 20th 2nd to july 2nd in their bid to win a pay july 2nd in their bid to win a pay rise of 35. it's quite a lot, isn't it? >> are they? after a pay rise or do they just hope that a large, you know, proportion of tory voters will die over that week without adequate access to their nhs? >> they said they're going to cancel a lot of points. people are going to miss appointments dunng are going to miss appointments during that week. yeah, again, obviously two days before the general election. but i think they want money and

so all these commissioners are by abbott. they answer only to abbott. and the director of abbott has given us is to fix congestion abbott ran office promising to fix traffic and texas when he was elected he created this $5 billion program called texas clear lanes, which is kind of responsible for all of these needs across the state. and he said, i think that we're moving capacity on this roadway would go against governor abbott's directive to us therefore we must take this facility back and keep it as a six lane road and it's it's absolutely undemocratic. yeah. i don't i'm like speechless even now. i'm like, i think, you know, everyone in san antonio was shocked by that. and i and like, it was sort of a mystery. lots of people speculated i was never able to prove. governor abbott called bruce back. but like bruce lives in san antonio like to mention like shout out if he's listening he know you can look in the property tax appraisal district and find out where he lives. lives pretty close to broadway like he he knew about that project. there was absolute

abbott's future. >> yes, exactly.catherine angela rayner is not known for being a wallflower, she speaks her mind . but is it is it a bit her mind. but is it is it a bit surprising that she'd speak out so openly in favour of diane abbott ? abbott? >> well, i mean, you don't mess with angela rayner . and i >> well, i mean, you don't mess with angela rayner. and i think she feels that in her position as deputy leader of the labour party, she can say this, it's all gone a bit wrong, hasn't it? this, this thing with diane abbott. because what was supposed to happen was that, they were supposed to give the whip back to her in an orderly fashion. of course she was. over a year without it. after writing that opinion piece over a year ago, and she was supposed to be given the whip back then. she would, in due course, have announced that she had decided to retire and not stand in the next election. but of course, the next election came much, much sooner than labour or indeed any of us were expecting. and so, of course, labour