Keir Starmer ‘utterly condemns’ Diane Abbott’s comments as he vows to ‘tear out antisemitism by its roots’

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Sir Keir Starmer has said he “utterly condemns” Diane Abbott’s comments on racism as he vowed to “tear out antisemitism” from the “roots” of the Labour Party.

The Labour leader acknowledged the racist abuse Ms Abbott has suffered herself over “many, many years,” but said her comments suggesting Jewish people did not suffer from racism were antisemitic.

Speaking a day after Ms Abbott was suspended from the Labour party over her remarks, Sir Keir said: “In my view what she said was to be condemned, it was antisemitic.”