Labour must better support aspiring black MPs, says Bernie Grant’s widow

Exclusive: Sharon Grant, wife of the late Tottenham MP, criticises party's progress on BAME representation

Labour must do more to dispel the perception of racism within the party, the widow of one of the country's first black British MPs has warned, amid frustrations that no graduate of the party's sole scheme for developing minority ethnic talent has been selected to stand as an MP.

The party has launched the second cohort of its Bernie Grant leadership programme (BGLP), dedicated to developing the next generation of black politicians, in recognition of a lack of diversity across all levels.