Diane Abbott has had the Labour whip suspended after comments she made suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people are not subject to racism “all their lives”.
Ms Abbott wrote in a letter in The Observer that although white people “with points of difference” suffer prejudice, they have not suffered the same racism as black people.
She later apologised for any “anguish” caused, suggesting “errors arose” in her initial draft letter to the newspaper following a huge backlash.
However, Labour confirmed that the whip has been suspended from her pending an investigation into the letter.
Report by Chahalb.
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Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has spoken out about the Tory donor racism row, describing the media's "relentless focus" on the controversy as "trivial." Frank Hester, one of the Conservative Party's top donors, allegedly said left-wing MP Diane Abbott "should be shot" at a private meeting in 2019. "I think this belief that we should not be able to move on and accept when someone has made an apology for historical comments and treat them as if they are contemporary is a problem," she added.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to "grow a backbone" and pay back the £10 million donated by Frank Hester after the businessman reportedly made racist comments about black MP Diane Abbott. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transport Secretary Mark Harper declines to say whether Frank Hester has donated an extra five million pounds to the Conservative Party, refusing to comment on "hypothetical" questions. Mr Hester allegedly said in 2019 that Diane Abbott, Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot". Reports emerged this week that Mr Hester may have offered £5 million more, which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Jeremy Corbyn joined the rally in support of Diane Abbott. Former Labour leader called the abuse that Abbott receives 'abominable, almost unbelievable'. Diane Abbott thanked residents of Hackney for 'decades of support' and urged them to ''make sure generations of young black people don't have to suffer the racism that we had to suffer''. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A group of voters in Diane Abbott's constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington appear to agree she should have the Labour whip reinstated. Abbott was suspended from the party after she wrote a letter that said Jewish people experience prejudice, not racism. But since then, Conservative Party donor Frank Hester allegedly aimed racist and misogynist remarks towards the independent MP, which has sparked a debate about whether she should be welcomed back into the Labour party in a show of solidarity. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer comforted an army veteran who became emotional when he explained how he set up a charity after the suicide of a fellow ex-serviceman. Dan Smith explained how he started the Darlington Veterans’ Community, a charity which helps local ex-servicemen suffering with the cost-of-living crisis, after his friend committed suicide during the pandemic. He became visibly emotional with the Labour leader, who reassured him to take his time. Sir Keir was joined in Darlington by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, during a visit to businesses ahead of next week's local elections.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described a government minister's appearance on Question Time as "incredibly embarrassing" after he appeared to ask if Rwanda and Congo were different countries. When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, policing minister Chris Philp responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?”
Mr Reynolds said the Rwanda scheme has caused "significant damage to the reputation of the UK around the world." The government's Rwanda bill, which was passed in parliament last week, says any asylum seeker entering the UK "illegally" after 1 January 2022, from a safe country such as France, could be sent to Rwanda.
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says his government would transfer the 10 remaining privately run rail networks to public ownership “well within the first term” by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire. His comments come during a visit to a train manufacturer Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour has pledged to renationalise the railways if it wins the next general election, with the shadow transport secretary saying that "today's broken model simply doesn't work". The party says it will also introduce a new watchdog focusing on passengers, and streamline tickets and timetables. The government insists the plan will "do nothing" to improve service reliability or affordability. Meanwhile, passengers at Manchester Piccadilly station expressed frustration with rail services, but little enthusiasm for Labour’s plans. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour pledges to renationalise the railways if elected, in what the party calls the “biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.” A Labour government will transfer rail networks to public ownership within its first term by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire, Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Jewish worshippers gathered at Jerusalem's Western Wall for the traditional priestly blessing, a ceremony conducted twice a year during Passover and Sukkot.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:00Published
People should not be prevented from going about their day-to-day lives, a government minister has told Sky News, following a row over the police handling of a.. Sky News
Israel's Military Intelligence Chief , Resigns After October 7 Attack.
On April 22, the head of Israel's military
intelligence said he would step down after
failing to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack.
Associated Press reports that the announcement makes
Major General Aharon Haliva the first senior figure to
resign in the wake of the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
Associated Press reports that the announcement makes
Major General Aharon Haliva the first senior figure to
resign in the wake of the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
The intelligence directorate
under my command did not live up
to the task we were entrusted with, Major General Aharon Haliva, via Associated Press.
I carry that black day with me ever
since, day after day, night after night.
I will carry the horrible pain of
the war with me forever, Major General Aharon Haliva, via Associated Press.
AP points out that resignations by
security and military officials have been
stalled by numerous Israeli conflicts.
In addition to the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel faces
conflict with both the Lebanese militant group
Hezbollah and Iran, engaging in multiple fronts.
In addition to the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel faces
conflict with both the Lebanese militant group
Hezbollah and Iran, engaging in multiple fronts.
Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Haliva and
other leaders publicly shouldered the blame for not
being able to prevent or react to the unexpected attack. .
Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Haliva and
other leaders publicly shouldered the blame for not
being able to prevent or react to the unexpected attack. .
Other leaders, including Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, have refused to
acknowledge direct responsibility or
step down, despite growing protests.
Other leaders, including Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, have refused to
acknowledge direct responsibility or
step down, despite growing protests.
Havila's resignation came as the Jewish faith prepares
to celebrate Passover, a major holiday that begins on
April 22 and marks the biblical exodus of Jews from Egypt. .
Havila's resignation came as the Jewish faith prepares
to celebrate Passover, a major holiday that begins on
April 22 and marks the biblical exodus of Jews from Egypt. .
The October 7 attack sparked the ongoing war in Gaza,
which has already killed over 34,000 Palestinians
and displaced an estimated 80% of the population. .
The October 7 attack sparked the ongoing war in Gaza,
which has already killed over 34,000 Palestinians
and displaced an estimated 80% of the population.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The deaths of the Reading terror attack victims were "probably avoidable" and contributed to by the failings of multiple agencies, an inquest has found.
Friends James Furlong, 36, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and David Wails, 49, were stabbed to death by Khairi Saadallah, now 29, in Forbury Gardens on 20 June 2020.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said the King's return to duties is a sign he is "on the way to recovery." Buckingham Palace confirmed today that His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis. "I think the most difficult thing for him was he was really getting into his stride as head of state and he was doing so much and then suddenly he was confined to base. We'll be very pleased to see him and he'll be delighted to be out and about again," Mr Vickers added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The world’s first personalised mRNA cancer jab for melanoma – which also has the potential to stop lung, bladder and kidney cancer – is being tested in British patients. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Former Post Office boss Angela van den Bogerd has left the Post Office inquiry after her second day of giving evidence. Ms van den Bogerd, who held numerous positions at the Post Office during her 35-year career, opened her evidence yesterday by saying she is "truly sorry" for the "devastation" caused to wrongly convicted sub-postmasters.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf is battling for his political survival after a chaotic 24 hours which saw him end the SNP’s governing partnership with the Greens on Thursday. This was followed a couple of hours later by the Scottish Conservatives putting forward a motion of no confidence in the first minister. The motion was backed by Scottish Labour, the Scottish Lib Dems and, crucially, the Greens, who just 24 hours earlier were close cabinet colleagues. It leaves Mr Yousaf potentially having to rely on Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, and their one MSP Ash Regan, to survive a no-confidence vote. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour's Jim McMahon says there is "no hierarchy of racism", calling out Diane Abbot's article in the Observer. He goes on to say the leader of the party, Sir Keir, who suspended Abbott, has "kept to..
Sir Keir Starmer calls Diane Abbott's remarks in the Observer anti-Semitic and condemns the Labour MP who has now lost the whip - as he stresses the importance of a "zero tolerance" approach to..
Pat McFadden says Labour had 'no option' but to suspend Diane Abbott over her controversial comments about racism and Jewish people in The Observer newpaper. Speaking after the Labour whip was..
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