Labour ‘looking for Diane Abbott's successor'
Supporters of Ms Abbott are concerned that a decision has been taken on the veteran MP's future before the conclusion of the investigation into her suspension from the party.
Representatives from Labour's national executive committee (NEC) are giving informal advice ahead of a contest in her constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington, according to The Guardian.
The favourites are said to include Sem Moema, a London Assembly member and Mete Coban, a Hackney councillor.
Ms Abbott said: 'It does seem to be rather pre-empting the results of the investigation.'
The MP, who has held the seat since 1987, was suspended by Labour after she claimed that Jewish people do not experience racism in the same way as black people.
She had no regrets
The 71-year-old had said the letter was a draft version and she was allowed back into the party in time for the general election. But she was suspended again in July after she made it clear to the BBC she had no regrets over her comments.
She was previously suspended in April 2023 after saying in a letter to The Observer that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people did not experience racism in the same way as black people and compared the experiences they faced with that of people with red hair.
But Labour said there had been no discussions by NEC members over future candidates for the seat while the investigation was continuing.
'There's no appetite among members for a stitch-up, they would want this to be fair after everything that's happened,' a figure on the Left of the party told The Guardian.
Ms Abbott, who is the longest-serving female MP, is not expected to return to the Labour Party, according to sources.
A suspended MP is blocked from standing as a candidate under party rules until their case is resolved. At the general election in summer 2024, Ms Abbott's majority in Hackney North and Stoke Newington was reduced to 15,080 as support shifted to the Greens.
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