Diane Abbott ‘absolutely’ should be expelled over antisemitism row
Diane Abbott sorry after suggesting that Jews don't face racism
Diane Abbott was stripped of the Labour whip on Sunday, April 23, after she was accused of “spouting hateful antisemitism” in a letter she wrote to the Observer newspaper claiming Jewish people do not face racism.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to take further action and expel the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington from the Party, a view shared by the majority of Express.co.uk readers, a new poll has shown.
A shadow minister told The Sun: “There is surely no way back for her, it’s time to kick her out for good.” While a Labour MP also told the publication: “It’s time she stood down as an MP for her own sake and to do the party a favour.”
Sir Keir has previously taken a tough stance on antisemitism in a bid to move the Party on from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. A spokesman for the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said: “Her suspension now is past time and must be the first step towards her expulsion.”
A Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party completely condemns these comments which are deeply offensive and wrong.”
In a poll that ran from 9am on Monday, April 24 to 1pm on Friday, April 28, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should Diane Abbott be expelled from the Labour Party over antisemitism row?”
A total of 14,953 votes were received, with the vast majority of readers, 93 percent (13,779 people) answering, “yes”, she should. Whereas seven percent (971 people) said, “no”, and a further 103 people said they did not know.
Thousands of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers discussed Ms Abbott’s political future.
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Many readers argued in favour of Ms Abbott being expelled, like username Brenno, who wrote: “Whether the letter was a draft or not is irrelevant. Those thoughts emanated from her. Of course she should go.”
Another, username OssettBoy said: “More than expelled from the Labour Party – She should be expelled from Parliament, she is not fit to hold the office of an MP!”
Similarly, username Neil_P added: “Way past time she was booted out of politics completely.”
And username HarassedBloke remarked: “Absolutely, it’s what she would expect if it were the other way round.”
However, a minority commented that she should remain, with username stonewall1861 writing: “What happened to freedom of speech that we keep on being told is essential in a democracy.”
Ms Abbott, who is currently sitting as an independent MP in the House of Commons, apologised and withdrew her remarks.
She said: “I wish to wholly and unreservedly withdraw my written remarks and disassociate myself from them. The errors arose in an initial draft being sent. But there is no excuse and I wish to apologise for any anguish caused.”
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