Diane Abbott has vowed to stand as a Labour MP at the next General Election following a row with Keir Starmer’s party over her candidacy.
Abbott had the whip restored earlier this week following a lengthy inquiry into allegations of antisemitism.
However, the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) would not endorse her as a candidate, according to the Times.
She told the BBC following the reinstatement: “Although the whip has been restored, I am banned from standing as a Labour candidate.”
Speaking at a rally in her constituency of Hackney South & Stoke Newington on Wednesday, Abbott, who was the UK’s first black female MP, vowed to return to parliament.
She said: “By any means possible, I will continue to stand as the candidate for Hackney North.”
She added: “I was shocked to learn yesterday that I am going to be banned from running for the Labour Party.
“I have been selected by my local party members, many of whom are here today, but the national party is insisting that I be banned.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has so far denied that Abbott had been barred from standing as a party candidate.
He said: “No that's not true. No decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.”
__Should Keir Starmer let Diane Abbott stand? Have your say in our poll above__
