Nigel Farage has said Diane Abbott is facing down the barrel of a finished career after her comments which have been deemed “antisemitic” by Sir Keir Starmer.
The GB News presenter says he believes the Labour leader has been handed an “open goal” by being able to suspend the MP and show authority on the matter.
Abbott had the Labour whip suspended after comments suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people are not subject to racism “all their lives”.
Sir Keir has not confirmed whether or not Abbott will stand again for her London constituency Hackey North and Stoke Newington at the next election, saying the investigation must be “completed” first.
Nigel Farage says Diane Abbott's career is over
GB News/ PA
Speaking on GB News, ex-Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: “I think for Sir Keir Starmer this must be like Christmas has come early, another chance to prove that he really is cleaning up the Labour Party.
“He's got rid of Jeremy Corbyn. And now here was Jeremy Corbyn's shadow home secretary, giving Starmer a complete, open goal.
“He's acted quickly, he's made it clear he thinks hercomments were anti-Semitic and she is suspended.
“I very much doubt myself that she'll be allowed to stand for the Labour Party at the next election. I think this is the end of Diane Abbott's career.”
Diane Abbott has been suspended as a Labour MP following a letter she wrote about racismPAAbbott has been an MP since 1987, was the first black woman elected to Parliament, and served as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow home secretary.
Sir Keir said: “Diane Abbott has suffered a lot of racial abuse over many, many years – that doesn’t take away from the fact that I condemn the words she used and we must never accept the argument that there’s some sort of hierarchy of racism.
“I will never accept that, the Labour Party will never accept that, and that’s why we acted as swiftly as we did yesterday.”
Abbott apologised for any “anguish” caused, suggesting “errors arose” in her initial draft letter to the newspaper.
In her apology, she said: “The errors arose in an initial draft being sent. But there is no excuse and I wish to apologise for any anguish caused.
“Racism takes many forms, and it is completely undeniable that Jewish people have suffered its monstrous effects, as have Irish people, Travellers and many others.”
Labour said: “The Labour Party completely condemns these comments, which are deeply offensive and wrong.
“The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Diane Abbott pending an investigation.”