How Labour decides Diane Abbott’s fate will be key test for party

Labour must balance tackling antisemitism with demonstrating an even-handed complaints system

Keir Starmer and his allies have been using the local election campaign as a trial run ahead of the all-important general election next year. For the last three and a half weeks, they have been laser-focused on campaigning on doorsteps, pushing out Twitter attack adverts and setting out what they would do in office.

But 10 days before the key electoral test, Labour finds itself desperately trying to stave off yet another racism row. After Diane Abbott was swiftly suspended from the party for her remarks in a letter to the Observer, speculation has swirled on how long officials will take to investigate her comments and decide on her fate.