General election live: Diane Abbott ‘free’ to stand as Labour MP candidate

Diane Abbott is “free” to stand as a Labour candidate in the General Election, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Labour leader has said he hasn’t been in contact with Diane Abbott and declined to clear out speculation about her future.

Speaking at a campaign event in Inverclyde he swas asked when he last spoke in person to the veteran politician, Sir Keir said: “I think I spoke to her a few weeks ago, maybe a few months ago, in the Commons.”

He added that there has been “no decision to bar Diane”, contrary to her previous claims. “Obviously she’s got the whip back and she’s been a trailblazer for many years, but the fact remains no decision has been taken.”

Sir Keir Starmer has responded to claims by Martin Forde KC that the row over Diane Abbott is leaving some black voters without a “political home”, made in The Guardian.

Sir Keir replied: “I’d say we’ve got fantastic candidates across the country, including many black candidates, leading candidates, Archie Mitchell reports. 

“I’m very proud of the team that we’ve put on the pitch. The choice at this election is a very clear choice – there’s only going to be one of two outcomes.

“We’re either going to get more of the chaos and division under the Tories or we’re going to turn a page with Labour and when we started selecting our candidates, I was very clear with the team, I wanted the highest quality candidates on the pitch for the task ahead.

“In relation to Diane Abbott, as I’ve said before, no decision’s been taken to bar her and she’s obviously now got the whip back.”

Labour is maintaining 45 per cent of voting intention, according to today’s polls from Techne UK, with a 24-point lead over the Conservatives.

The Tories have clawed back 2 per cent in the polls, after Rishi Sunak’s shock election announcement caused a dip in support last week, writes data correspondent Alicja Hagopian.

The Lib Dems and Reform UK have been neck-and-neck across the UK for the month of May, currently at 11 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

For more polls, approval ratings and top issues on the ballot read here.

The party pledges to extend free meals to children in primary schools.

The plan would include an immediate extension to all 900,000 children living in poverty.

The Lib Dems say they would fund the pledge by taking a four per cent levy on the share buybacks of FTSE 100-listed companies, which they say could raise about £1.4 billion a year.

Sir Ed Davey said: “It is time for change. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a local champion who will fight for the wellbeing of children and their futures.”

ITV has announced today that its General Election multi-party debate will take place on Thursday, June 13 at 8.30pm.

The ITV Election Debate 2024 will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Leaders or senior representatives across all main parties will participate including, Cnservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru.

The debate will be moderated by Julie Etchingham and it will run for 90 minutes.

In another headache for the Tories, Conservative MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme Aaron Bell has announced he is stepping down.

The former Conservative MP previously faced allegations of serious sexual assault himself which were investigated then dropped by Essex Police earlier this year.

He has now confirmed he will stand as an independent candidate at the general election.

He said: “Solihull deserves more than a whips appointed candidate who doesn’t get the issues.”

Donald Trump’s trial is not “my focus”, Rishi Sunak has said when asked if he would work with the convicted former US president if the Republican returns to power, David Lynch reports.

The Prime Minister refused to comment on the ex-president’s hush money trial conviction when asked by reporters.

A New York jury found Mr Trump guilty of falsifying business records becoming the first to be convicted of felony crimes.

Asked whether he was willing to work with a convicted felon in the White House if he wins July’s election, the Prime Minister said: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on another country’s domestic politics or judicial processes.

“I’m focused squarely on the election here at home, talking to people across the country about the choice at our election.