Diane Abbott Keeps Labour Whip After Russia Comments

Diane Abbott will not lose the Labour whip over her claim that the threat posed by Russia is “a Nato fiction” to justify more defence spending.

Posting on X yesterday, she said: “The imminent threat from Russia is a Nato fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump’s demands for more military spending. The increase [in defence spending] should not go ahead.”

Abbott’s comments led to calls for her to lose the Labour whip.

However, HuffPost UK understands government chief whip Anneliese Midgley considers the matter to be closed.

Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, only regained the Labour whip at the end of July.

On Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, immigration minister Anna Turley said Abbott’s latest Nato comments were “fundamentally wrong”.

A No.10 spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Our commitment to supporting Ukraine from Russia’s illegal invasion is ironclad.”

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