A GRASSROOTS petition backing Diane Abbott after her suspension from the Labour Party hit 30,000 signatures today.

Ms Abbott, who is Britain’s first black woman MP, elected in 1987, was suspended last month for the second time.

The Mother of the House first lost the whip in 2023 after writing a letter distinguishing between anti-black racism and racism directed at Irish, Jewish and Traveller people.

She subsequently apologised for any anguish caused, but was later suspended again after saying she did not look back on the incident with regret.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4 she said: “I just think that it’s silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism.”

Standing with Ms Abbott, Apsana Begum MP said: “As the first black woman MP, Diane stood up against racism, so that decades later I could become the first hijab-wearing MP. 

“Diane has stood with communities of all backgrounds for decades against racism, division and hate. We stand on her mighty shoulders against attacks she continues to face for being in public life.”

BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley said: “As trade unionists, we will not be silent while Britain’s first black woman MP is disrespected — we stand shoulder to shoulder with Diane, just as she has always stood with us.”

Black Liberation Alliance co-founder Myriam Kane also expressed their support, saying: “As the far right go on the rampage in a febrile racist climate against refugees and migrants, it beggars belief that the Labour leadership has turned on Diane Abbott, a trail-blazing anti-racist. 

“We demand that she is brought back into the Parliamentary and wider Labour Party.”