Labour MP Diane Abbott has been suspended pending an investigation into a letter she wrote about racism for the Observer. The letter caused controversy when Abbott
wrote that "many types of white people with points of difference" can experience prejudice but they are not subject to racism "all their lives".
The comments were described as "deeply offensive and wrong" by the Labour Party, prompting Abbott to issue an apology for any anguish caused.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews had called for her to have the whip removed, and the Jewish Labour Movement said it regretfully supported the party's decision. Abbott's suspension means she will sit as an independent MP in the House of Commons while the investigation is carried out. Photo by Policy Exchange, Wikimedia commons.