LABOUR leader Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to restore the whip to Diane Abbott, with a petition supporting the demand gathering over 16,000 signatures. 

It has been signed by Labour MPs including Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Beth Winter, Richard Leonard, Richard Burgon, Apsana Begum, Jon Trickett and Nadia Whittome. 

Lord John Hendy KC said the idea of her not being permitted to stand in the election is unthinkable and “the ultimate insult on top of the catalogue of vile abuse she suffered at the hands of the party.”

Stand up to Racism’s Sabby Dhalu said: “Labour voters do not want a Parliamentary Labour Party that welcomes Natalie Elphicke but excludes Diane Abbott.”

Labour MP John McDonnell described her as “an iconic figure and especially inspiring to young black women,” who should be treated fairly.

Food workers’ union BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley underlined that the MP “has stood with trade unions for decades — and now workers across our trade unions are standing with Diane, a trailblazer who deserves our full solidarity.”

Sign the petition here.