Leading Black figures criticise Labour’s ‘disgraceful’ treatment of Diane Abbott

Open letter says party's inability to make a decision on Abbott's future is example of systemic racism

Leading Black British actors, professors, authors and broadcasters have urged Labour to rectify and reverse" the disrespectful" treatment of Diane Abbott or risk losing the backing of the party's most loyal supporters.

Lenny Henry, David Harewood, Renni Eddo-Lodge, Misan Harriman, Afua Hirsch, Jackie Kay, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Adrian Lester and Gary Younge are among the prominent Black figures to have signed a damning open letter, classing various briefings and Abbott's own claim that she has been barred from standing for the party as disproportionate, undemocratic and vindictive".