SIR KEIR STARMER faces increased pressure to restore the whip to Diane Abbott as support for Britain’s first female black MP skyrockets with a major demonstration set to be a “show of strength in support” for the left-wing trailblazer in London tomorrow.

Thousands have signed petitions calling for her to be returned to the party after even deputy leader Angela Rayner and MPs Harriet Harman and Ed Balls said she should be reinstated in the wake of major Tory donor Frank Hester’s vile racist comments.

Ms Abbott was suspended from the party last April after saying white marginalised groups do not suffer racism “all of the time.”

She apologised but has remained under investigation for 11 months and counting over her claims in a letter to the Observer, as Labour leadership faces repeated criticism over factionalism and a purge of its left-wing voices.

Today Ms Abbott, a former shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, rejected the Labour leader’s feeble claims that he is not involved in the decision process to bring her back into the party.

The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington told the Morning Star: “I am moved by the level of support. But this is not about me.

“This issue is about the level of racism still existing in Britain in 2024 and the terrible direspect black women face day after day.

“The decision about restoring the whip and bringing me back into the Parliamentary Labour Party is Sir Keir Starmer’s and his alone. Let us hope he listens.”

Challenged by the long “investigation” into her comments, Sir Keir insisted that he had taken the “leader out of the process and made it truly independent.”

It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was blasted again over his ties to Frank Hester amid reports his party received £5 million more than previously known.

The Tories have been embroiled in a race row after the tech boss reportedly said Ms Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and should “be shot.”

He admitted making “rude” comments about her and apologised but insisted his remarks "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.”

Mr Sunak eventually called the comments “racist” and “wrong” but argued the apology should be accepted.

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds MP said it was “frankly staggering” after further reports said the Conservatives are still in talks with Mr Hester about a further £5m donation, adding: “The Conservatives need to pay back every penny, cut ties with Frank Hester and apologise unequivocally to Diane Abbott.”

Today more than 5,000 people signed a grassroots petition calling for Ms Abbott’s reinstatement within 24 hours, ahead of a major anti-hate demonstration by Stand Up To Racism and the TUC tomorrow.

Famous pop stars and DJs will join Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti and former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, trade unions and Black Lives Matter campaigners at the UN Anti-Racism Day event, rallying outside the Home Office followed by a march and “House Against Hate” DJ set outside Downing Street.

Events will also be taking place this weekend in Glasgow and Cardiff as part of an international day of action.

Stand up to Racism Co-Convener Sabby Dhalu told the Star: “The treatment of Diane Abbott this week illustrates the institutional, systemic and structural racism that accompanies racist incidents.

“The Black Lives Matter movement highlighted this and that’s what links Diane Abbott’s experience to the movement against racism.

“This weekend’s UN Anti-Racism Day events will be a show of strength in support of Diane.”

She added Muslim communities and others have also raised concerns about politicians failing to address Islamophobia, at a time when Islamophobic and anti-semitic hate crimes are increasing.

“There has never been a more important time to stand up and unite against racism,” she said.

The petition by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity and Arise — A Festival of Left Ideas was backed by Beth Winter MP who said Labour risks alienating voters in constituencies across the country without Ms Abbott.

Socialist MP Richard Burgon said she was a “real Labour hero” who “deserves all of our support.”

MSP and former Labour leader in Scotland Richard Leonard urged the party to show “practical solidarity and restore the whip without delay.”

Labour NEC member Mish Rahman called for an end to “factional games,” while fellow NEC member Jess Barnard said Ms Abbott’s treatment “brings shame on the party and undermines any claims that the party is taking racism seriously.”