SEVERAL figures across the labour movement have called for Diane Abbott’s suspension from the Labour Party to be lifted ahead of its first anniversary on Saturday.

The first black woman to be elected to Parliament was suspended from the party for a second time after saying she did not regret her remarks on racism made more than three years ago. 

She said that people of colour experienced racism “all their lives,” which was different from the “prejudice” experienced by Jewish people, Irish people and Travellers.

MP John McDonnell said: “Andy Burnham says he aims to change the culture of the Labour Party and return the party to a broad church — a pluralist party where people’s views are respected.

“A first step would be to restore the Labour whip to Diane Abbott.”

Another Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, said: “I hope that a new leadership will seize the opportunity to reset its relationship with Diane and restore the whip to her.”

Fellow MP Richard Burgon added: “The whip should be restored to Diane. That’s the right thing to do.”

Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the Labour-affiliated TSSA union, added: “Diane Abbott has been a trailblazer in British politics, and today marks an opportunity to look ahead.”

BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley said: “One year on, Diane Abbott remains suspended, and serious questions still need answering about why this process has been allowed to drag on for so long.”

Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu urged Labour to restore Ms Abbott’s membership “not only because it is the right thing to do, but because sidelining one of its most influential figures risks alienating the very communities that have long been at the heart of the party.”

Myriam Kane, of the Black Liberation Alliance, argued that the “failed Starmer leadership will be defined for black communities by the contempt with which it treated Diane Abbott.”

Labour NEC member Jess Barnard said: “The treatment of Diane Abbott has been a shameful period for our party.”

Her colleague Gemma Bolton added: “If Labour is serious about changing its internal culture and becoming a broad church, then restoring the whip to Diane Abbott would be a great first step in that direction.”

A petition calling for her reinstatement has topped 33,000 signatures.