Diane Abbott is "free" to stand as a Labour candidate in the General Election, Sir Keir Starmer has said after a days-long row over her political future overshadowed Labour's campaign.The Labour leader on Friday gave the green light for her candidacy, after his previous refusal to make a judgment led to growing tensions in the party.Sir Keir told reporters during a campaign visit to Scotland: "The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate."

Diane Abbott is "free" to stand as a Labour candidate in the General Election, Sir Keir Starmer has said after a days-long row over her political future overshadowed Labour's campaign.The Labour leader on Friday gave the green light for her candidacy, after his previous refusal to make a judgment led to growing tensions in the party.Sir Keir told reporters during a campaign visit to Scotland: "The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate."