MORE trade unionists and anti-racism leaders urged Labour to restore the whip to MP Diane Abbott today.

In a joint statement, four union general secretaries, a deputy general secretary joined the Stand Up to Racism campaign in saying the left-wing MP has been been a “vociferous campaigner” against all forms of racism for decades.

“She has also faced more abuse and racism than any other MP in Parliament,” they added.

“We need MPs like Diane Abbott. We urge the Labour Party to restore the whip.”

The statement was signed by the general secretaries of the PCS, Aslef, NEU and BFAWU unions as well as Tony Kearns from the CWU and Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett from Stand up to Racism.

It comes after a huge outpouring of support for Ms Abbott amid growing anger over Labour’s “fraudulent” investigation into her comments about racism.

Speaking to the Morning Star, she called on Keir Starmer to prove his commitment to fighting anti-black racism as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, TUC president Matt Wrack and scores of socialist MPs and activists joined the campaign to restore Britain’s first black female MP’s Labour whip.

She was suspended as Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington after suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism “all their lives” in a letter to the Observer in April.

Ms Abbott, who promptly apologised and withdrew her remarks, last week branded the party’s “independent” complaints process “fraudulent” due to it being run by Labour HQ – which reports to Mr Starmer – rather than the party’s whips.

She told the Star: “The issues are Labour Party democracy and the leadership’s commitment to recognising and fighting anti-black racism.”

Labour has been contacted for comment.