Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Abbott should be allowed to contest: Anas Sarwar

The Scottish Labour leader said that Britain's first black female MP was “a trailblazer� with “a strong history in the Labour Party�

Abbott should be allowed to contest: Anas Sarwar

SCOTTISH Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said Diane Abbott should be allowed to contest the election and agrees with Angela Rayner on the issue.

His comment came amid a divide among senior Labour leaders over Abbott's candidature and puts pressure on Sir Keir Starmer.


Sarwar told BBC that Abbott was “a trailblazer” with “a strong history in the Labour Party”.

He said the disciplinary investigation against her has concluded and the whip has been restored. It is for the national executive committee (NEC) to decide.

Asked if she should be allowed to run as a candidate, he said he “agrees with Angela Rayner”.

The deputy Labour leader had told the Guardian that Abbott has been unfairly treated by some Labour colleagues and she should be allowed to contest the election as the party whip has now been restored.

Abbott was earlier suspended from the party over an anti-semitism row. She used to represent the London seat of Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

Earlier London mayor Sadiq Khan, the shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, and the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, have also expressed uneasiness with the party’s treatment of Britain’s first black female MP.

But the shadow science secretary, Peter Kyle, defended the party's investigation into Abbott's remarks, which he termed as 'dignified'.

He told Times Radio that the NEC will be making sure that "everybody who stands for us meets the high standards that Keir Starmer has set for the Labour party.”

Starmer has refused to be drawn into this issue and told BBC that the NEC will decide in due course.

The committee is meeting next week to finalise Labour’s full list of parliamentary candidates.

The Labour leader is facing mounting accusations of “purging” the left-leaning leaders in the party.

Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen who was prevented from running in Chingford and Woodford Green has accused the party of racism, Islamophobia, and bullying.

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less