Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Diane Abbott is “free to go forward as a Labour candidate”, ending days of speculation about the veteran left-winger’s future.
Ms Abbott, the first female black MP, had claimed she had been banned from standing as a Labour candidate at 7 July’s general election.
Sir Keir has now given Ms Abbott his blessing to stand in Hackney North and Stoke Newington – a seat she has represented since 1987.
Labour’s National Executive Committee has the final say on Ms Abbott’s candidacy – but a senior source told the BBC the group will not block her from standing.
Ms Abbott has yet to comment.
But speaking at a rally outside Hackney Town Hall on Tuesday, she said: “I promise you that as long as it is possible, I will be the Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.”
Ms Abbott was suspended from Labour last year after suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism, sparking a long-running process which saw her sit as an Independent MP.
She apologised on X, formerly known as Twitter, and withdrew her remarks.
On Tuesday, Ms Abbott had the Labour whip restored, but told the BBC she might be “barred” from running for the party in the upcoming election.
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