Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, Diane Abbott, has issued a public apology following claims she made racist comments on Twitter
Abbott, the first black woman to be elected as an MP, was responding to criticism of the term “black community leaders” when she wrote: “White people love playing ‘divide & rule’ We should not play their game”.
The Labour Shadow Health Minister was reacting to a conversation about media coverage in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence murder trial to a woman who wrote: “I do wish everyone would stop saying ‘the black community’ though. Which one?”
Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi says Labour leader Ed Miliband should sack her for “inciting hatred against white people”. Zahawi told BBC Radio 5Live that her comments were “intolerable”. “This is racism”, he continued.
“If this was a white member of Parliament saying that all black people want to do bad things to us he would have resigned within the hour or be sacked.”
Abbott later responded that her remark had been taken out of context, and said: “I apologise for any offence caused. I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people. I do not believe in doing that.”
Ms Abbott, who ran for Labour leader in the 2010 contest, was supported by the senior Labour MP Keith Vaz today, who told the BBC that she was doing an “excellent job” as shadow public health minister and had a “great history of supporting the anti-racism struggle”.
“She’s done the right thing in withdrawing her statement and apologising for the offence that’s been caused”, Vaz continued.
Her comments should have been directed at society in general rather than at white people. After all, the freelance journalist whom she directed those comments to is black. Please do not let this overshadow the fact that we live in an institutionally racist society in Britain. The reasons why Diane Abbott said what she said are far more important that the fact that she said it.
This person should not be allowed to retain her MP status. Her remark, which clearly reflects the real Diane Abbott, was out and out racist. She must be dismissed without further prevarication.
Diane Abbott is not a racist. She’s made a daft comment in haste(as many Tweets are). She’s apologised. Move on.
D A ought to shut-up especially as her ‘tweet’ in bad taste & especially in light of the verdict on the murder of Stephen Lawerence. Moreover, when the Police are trying to get members of the public (black/white) to come forward with information as to sourcing the remaining scum who participated in the vile racist attack on an innocent black boy. I read that it was actually ‘white’ members of the public who initally wrote names of the ‘alledged’ attackers-some years ago, only for same be discarded by Police.
Abbott’s ‘tweet’ can now only hinder any positive progress if the ‘informer’s’ be white – she is lucky she can send her son to private school, holds a good position with a good wage. But, now the ‘plum’ has fallen out of her gob, & she thinks her stupid grin will save her a**e from the sack.
What use is she really? Ed Miliband should find some ‘Balls’ & sack her now for she will un-do the good which so far has been positive with the Lawerence family having support from black & white members of the public – not a ‘silly mistake’ re that ‘tweet’. Diane Abbott has shown her true feelings, and not for the 1st time either, she is now the reason for ‘divide’…….