Diane Abbott: the BBC and the Labour Party; ignorance and factionalism
JVL Introduction
The Canary has pulled together a number of powerful comments in relation to the appalling treatment of Diane Abbott and the abuse she received from Tory (super) donor, Frank Hester. Harriet Harman (and Laura Kuennsberg interviewing her) seem to have forgotten the Forde Report, for example, which identified a hierarchy of racism. Again we are seeing left wing Labour MPs ensuring long suspensions (eg Diane Abbott, Kate Osamor – and also Jeremy Corbyn) whereas those on the right who are seen to transgress are allowed to apologise and continue “as normal”.
In his report, Martin Forde KC, referred to factionalism in the Party and recently, regarding a case in Lambeth he said: “(T)he problem with a lack of Indicative Sanctions Guidance is that differing sanctions can be applied on factional lines for the same misconduct. This is illustrated by the fact that the perception is that when accused of antisemitism, an apology suffices if you are seen as supporting one faction, but if you are identified as supporting the opposite faction, you will be suspended or worse.”
It is Starmer who has the power to restore the whip to Diane Abbott – as she is still a Labour Party member. Like Corbyn, removal of the whip was a decision of the Leader and so it must be in his power to restore it. Reinstating Diane Abbott – and Kate Osamor – would be a start!
LL
This article was originally published by The Canary on Sun 17 Mar 2024. Read the original here.
BBC and Labour now competing over who’s the most ignorant when it comes to Diane Abbott
What A Match
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Definitely dishonest. But it’s worse than that. Saying ‘in her view’ Labour also has a problem with racism (whilst, from what the Canary impute, not referencing the Forde Report) serves to correlate Diane Abbott with the suspect realm of the subjective as opposed to the ‘objective’ world of facts. This may lead the viewer to then suspect her above accusation about Labour as perhaps either the result of (ironically) factionalism, or the lashing out of someone defensive about having lost the whip. Just seems calculated to undermine what this particular, notably, Black MP has to say in her own defence (having asked Keir Starmer to return the whip).
Likewise, asking whether she should be allowed back into the Labour Party, is not only factually wrong but undermines her in its pre-emption of the very opposite. For just like in advertising it brings two things together in the viewer’s mind – Diane Abbott as someone cast outside the LP.
The MSM know perfectly well the power of words, mistruths, and lies of omission: They know what they’re doing!
Not only all of the above – but the letter was a DRAFT .. as was
obvious from her faulty logic. She apologised and told them so
– yet was still suspended.
It is all EXACTLY as Forde said .. different treatment for different
factions.
Starmer – in his statement disgracefully giving the lie to the
“independent” investigation – spoke about forgiveness.
I must say I never heard any apology from anyone
in the Labour Party over the appalling way was Diane spoken of as
revealed in the leaked Labour Party Report.
It might be time now for Starmer to correct this ..
It’s clear that Diane’s career as a Labour Politician is over, but her role as a blazing beacon of light against the politics of racism both in and out of the Labour Party remains. Why waste time fighting to support the return of the whip to a racist, Zionist, genocidal leadership? And, how can those in the Campaign Group and on the left of the party watch on as “Rome” burns. Many years ago, if they had any principles, they would have resigned from the Party and remained as Independents. A sizable, vocal group in Parliament would be far more effective than the deafening silence from the likes of John McDonnell and his colleagues.