Diane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour Party after receiving a formal warning over a tweet in which she referred to the Israel Defence Force as the "Jewish Defence Force". The MP had voluntarily suspended herself in March this year following the arrest of her husband on suspicion of spying for China.
Formal Warning and Apology
Apologising for the tweet, Ms Abbott said she had "used wording that conflates the actions of the state of Israel with the Jewish community" and was "deeply sorry for any hurt caused by that conflation". She added: "I have been and remain a lifelong anti-racist and remain deeply committed to opposing racism in all its forms."
The year-long suspension was the second time Ms Abbott has had her Labour membership suspended. She had previously been investigated by the party over a letter to the Observer in 2023 in which she suggested that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism. The long-serving MP was subsequently readmitted to the party in time to contest her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat at the 2024 general election.
Joani Reid Also Readmitted
Fellow Labour MP Joani Reid has also been readmitted to the party. In her own statement, East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Ms Reid said she was "excited to play a full part in supporting our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, his Government, and in renewing Scottish Labour". She added: "I have never been part of a police investigation, as a suspect or as a witness, and I am pleased that this has now been recognised."
Her voluntary suspension earlier this year came after her husband, David Taylor, was arrested along with two other men and accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The three men have since been released on police bail, which in May was extended until August. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Ms Reid.
It is understood that both readmissions followed formal Labour Party processes and were not linked to Mr Burnham becoming party leader. Both Ms Abbott and Ms Reid have also had the Labour whip restored after a period sitting as Independents.
