Baroness Anderson: The Diane Abbott racism scandal is 'sad and depressing'

The Jewish peer, previously known as Ruth Smeeth before taking her new title, she is 'not on the same wing of the Labour Party' as Abbott but added:'We need to find a way through this.'

By Lee Harpin April 27, 2023, 6:02 pm Edit

Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor

Labour peer Baroness Anderson has described the racism scandal that has erupted over “icon” Diane Abbott’s letter published last weekend as both “sad and depressing.”

The Jewish politician, previously known as Ruth Smeeth before taking her new title, admitted herself and Abbott were “not on the same wing of the Labour Party” but added:”We need to find a way through this.”

In a further recognition of how significant the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP’s political career has been, Anderson said:”“Diane and I, we’re not on the same wing of the Labour Party. She is friends with lots of people who have made my life quite difficult.

“But she was also the first black woman to be elected and she is an icon in her own lifetime.

“That is an extraordinary thing, and I don’t want her political career to end like this. I find all of this so sad and honestly, depressing.”

Anderson, national vice chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, was asked about the current situation, in which Abbott has been suspended as an MP, pending an investigation into her comments that Jews, Irish and the travellers don’t experience racism “every day.”

According to several unconfirmed reports, Diane Abbott was present during the vote.

She told ex-MP Gloria De Piero, on her GB News show:“We need to find a way through this.

“We need to find a way through where there is a level of dignity for Diane too, because it’s really important for her community.

“There is no hierarchy of racism. Racism is racism. I want everybody to just move forward. We’re meant to be on the same side.”

The former Stoke North MP also said she was “tired” of having her identity used as a “political football.”

She added: “Suddenly from 2016 onwards, the only bit of my identity that seemed relevant for certain people was the fact I also happened to be Jewish.

“I can’t tell you how much I resented it, not because I’m Jewish which I am so proud of, but because they turned it on its head and they made that as if that was all I was and I wasn’t.”

In a letter to The Observer, Abbott responded to an article by Tomiwa Owolade titled: “Racism in Britain is not a black and white issue. It’s far more complicated”.