Rayner wants Abbott back in parliamentary Labour Party as she tells of MP's 'awful' abuse

Kemi Badenoch reacts to Tory donor racism row

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has spoken out about the Tory donor racism row, describing the media's "relentless focus" on the controversy as "trivial." Frank Hester, one of the Conservative Party's top donors, allegedly said left-wing MP Diane Abbott "should be shot" at a private meeting in 2019. "I think this belief that we should not be able to move on and accept when someone has made an apology for historical comments and treat them as if they are contemporary is a problem," she added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour urge PM to ‘grow a backbone’ and pay back Hester cash

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to "grow a backbone" and pay back the £10 million donated by Frank Hester after the businessman reportedly made racist comments about black MP Diane Abbott. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister refuses to say whether Tories received extra £5m

Transport Secretary Mark Harper declines to say whether Frank Hester has donated an extra five million pounds to the Conservative Party, refusing to comment on "hypothetical" questions. Mr Hester allegedly said in 2019 that Diane Abbott, Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot". Reports emerged this week that Mr Hester may have offered £5 million more, which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Abbott: We have to stand up for young black people

Jeremy Corbyn joined the rally in support of Diane Abbott. Former Labour leader called the abuse that Abbott receives 'abominable, almost unbelievable'. Diane Abbott thanked residents of Hackney for 'decades of support' and urged them to ''make sure generations of young black people don't have to suffer the racism that we had to suffer''. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

'I think Labour should welcome Abbott back into the party'

A group of voters in Diane Abbott's constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington appear to agree she should have the Labour whip reinstated. Abbott was suspended from the party after she wrote a letter that said Jewish people experience prejudice, not racism. But since then, Conservative Party donor Frank Hester allegedly aimed racist and misogynist remarks towards the independent MP, which has sparked a debate about whether she should be welcomed back into the Labour party in a show of solidarity. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer refuses to comment on Rayner’s tax affairs

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has refused to comment on whether the party has provided funding for tax or legal advice for his deputy Angela Rayner’s tax affairs. Mr Starmer said, “I have said I am absolutely pleased to be out with Angela today, and that is the focus that she has, that is the focus that I have had.” Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer accuses PM of 'smearing a working class woman'

Keir Starmer has accused the prime minister of 'smearing a working class woman' as the two clashed during PMQs. The Labour leader accused ‘billionaire’ Rishi Sunak of using schemes for tax evasion while trying to draw attention to Angela Rayner's tax affairs. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Yvette Cooper backs Angela Rayner amid questions over tax

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has expressed her support for Angela Rayner despite questions surrounding whether the deputy leader should have paid capital gains tax on the sale of her old council house in 2015. Ms Cooper hopes a line will be drawn under the issue when Ms Rayner sets out the facts to the police and HMRC, and argues the Conservatives are attempting to focus on this from 10 years ago rather than the current pressures on the NHS and the cost of living. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Health Secretary criticses Angela Rayner's tax affairs

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has questioned Labour's handing of deputy leader Angela Rayner's tax affairs, calling for transparency. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer ‘concerned’ over Hainault and Sheffield stabbings

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he is “really concerned” over the stabbing attacks in Hainault and Sheffield as a 14-year-old boy killed who was on Tuesday is named as Daniel Anjorin. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer welcomes Poulter to Labour after defection over NHS

Labour leader Keir Starmer has welcomed Dan Poulter to his party, saying his defection speaks for many Tory voters. Mr Poulter, who is also a doctor, said he is unable to provide NHS patients with quality treatment due to the Tory's mismanagement of the health service. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn