MPs Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted into Labour and had the parliamentary whip restored, just under two weeks into Andy Burnham’s premiership. The party confirmed that this followed separate independent disciplinary processes, with Labour stating the leadership played no role in either decision.
Diane Abbott, the Mother of the House of Commons, was suspended for a second time last summer after comments about racism. She has apologised following the conclusion of the investigation, which resulted in a formal warning from the party.
Joani Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, voluntarily relinquished the whip in March this year after her husband was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Reid has not been accused of wrongdoing and Labour party sources indicate she has not been party to police investigations.
A Labour party spokesperson stated that the party expects high standards from its representatives and members, and assesses alleged breaches independently of leadership and political interference. Both investigations were carried out in accordance with the Labour rulebook and approved by the party’s independent review board.