Keir Starmer says he has ‘gut feeling’ Diane Abbott comments were antisemitic

But Labour leader says Hackney MP has herself suffered more racial abuse than any other politician

Keir Starmer has said he has a “gut feeling” that comments by one of his MPs were antisemitic.

Labour suspended the whip from Diane Abbott after she wrote to the Observer newspaper suggesting Jewish people were not subject to the same racism as other minorities.

The letter stated that Jewish, Irish and traveller communities have experienced “prejudice”, but added: “This is similar to racism and the two words are often used as if they are interchangeable.”