A GROWING campaign for the Labour whip to be restored to MP Diane Abbott has seen more than 10,000 people sign a petition, with trade union general secretaries and other leading figures supporting the demand.

A new model motion has been launched for organisations, unions and branches to adopt in her support.

The “Restore the Whip” campaign has now set a new target of 15,000 signatures for the petition.

Ms Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, was suspended last year for comments she made in a letter to the Observer about different aspects of racism.

Support for the campaign to have her reinstated continues to grow.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP said: “The support shown for giving Diane back the whip continues to grow throughout the labour movement and beyond. The whip should be immediately restored.”

And fellow Labour MP Apsana Begum said: “The significance of Diane’s election as the first black woman MP, and her tremendous career, cannot be overstated.

“She literally made history for the Labour Party. Her courageous and principled lifelong struggle against injustice, sexism and racism has been nothing short of inspirational. Diane has not only been a role model to me personally growing up, but she has also supported me as the first hijab-wearing MP.”

Transport union general secretaty Maryam Eslamdoust said the level of support for Ms Abbott was “a further illustration of how support for the whip to be restored to Diane is growing throughout the labour movement and beyond,” while Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “Diane Abbott MP’s record on fighting racism is hugely respected amongst African, Caribbean, other communities subjected to racism and the anti-racist movement.

“If the Labour Party is to be serious about tackling racism it must restore the whip to Diane Abbott MP.”

Campaign supporters include MPs John McDonnell, Beth Winter, Richard Leonard MSP, Richard Burgon, Nadia Whittome, Ian Lavery, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan, BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley, and the Labour Women Leading group.

The new model motion calling for Ms Abbott’s reinstatement can be found here. 

The petition can be viewed here.