A party spokesperson confirmed the decision to Sky News but did not give a reason why. Politics Live: The Starmtroopers are coming for the Corbynites It comes after the veteran MP defended previous comments about racism which sparked an antisemitism row and led to a year-long suspension. She apologised at the time and was readmitted back into the party before the 2024 general election. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Diane Abbott has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending an investigation. We cannot comment further while this investigation is ongoing." Sky News understands that the suspension is not related to the four rebels who lost the whip on Wednesday for "repeated breaches" of party discipline, including voting against the government's welfare cuts. The action has been taken because of an interview in which she doubled down on her claim Jewish people experience racism differently to black people, which previously sparked a huge controversy. In a letter to The Observer in 2023, Ms Abbott argued that people of colour experienced racism "all their lives" and said that was different to the "prejudice" experienced by Jewish people, Irish people and Travellers. Shortly after it was published, she issued a statement in which she said she wished to "wholly and unreservedly withdraw my remarks and disassociate myself from them". However in a new interview with BBC Radio 4's Reflections programme this week, she said she did not look back on the incident with regret. Ms Abbott said: "Clearly, there must be a difference between racism which is about colour and other types of racism because you can see a Traveller or a Jewish person walking down the street, you don't know. "But if you see a black person walking down the street, you see straight away that they're black. They are different types of racism." She added: "I just think that it's silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism. "I don't know why people would say that." Commenting on the suspension, Ms Abbott told Sky News: "It's obvious this Labour leadership wants me out. My comments in the interview with James Naughtie were factually correct, as any fair-minded person would accept." The clip of the interview was re-posted by Brian Leishman, one of the MPs suspended on Wednesday, who said: "Diane Abbott has fought against racism her entire life." Bell Riberio-Addy, who lost her role as trade envoy in yesterday's purge, also came to Ms Abbott's defence, saying: "Before condemning her based on headlines, I would listen to her clip and note she discussed the different forms that racism takes and condemned all forms of racism." Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell made similar comments, saying that in the interview his colleague "forthrightly condemns antisemitism & discusses the different forms of racism". But Labour MP David Taylor told Sky News he has "long thought Diane Abbott shouldn't be a member of our party due to her appalling positions on everything from Bosnia to Syria". He added: "As the Jewish Labour Movement have said, antisemitism targets Jews regardless of how they look, and many in the community are visibly Jewish and suffer racism for it." In the interview, Ms Abbott said she "of course" condemns antisemitic behaviour in the same way she would condemn racist behaviour because of the colour of someone's skin, adding: "I do get a bit weary of people trying to pin the antisemitic label on me because I spent a lifetime facing racism of all kinds." Ms Abbott made history when she was elected as Britain's first black female MP for Labour in 1987. She is the longest-serving female MP in the Commons, giving her the title "Mother of the House". As an MP on the left of the party she has often clashed with the leadership throughout her career - bar her time serving in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet. Read more from Sky News:Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next general electionFive reasons to be confused by Starmer's MP suspensions Many MPs rallied in support of Ms Abbott last year when it was not clear if she would be reinstated in time for the general election, or allowed to stand. She went on to retain her seat of Hackney North and Stoke Newington with a majority of over 15,000. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner hinted action could be taken against Ms Abbott when she told The Guardian earlier on Thursday that she was "disappointed" in her colleague's remarks. "There's no place for antisemitism in the Labour Party, and obviously the Labour Party has processes for that," she said. A source close to the decision to suspend her told Sky News there is a "very slim chance" she will be allowed back in, given she did antisemitism training and apologised last time. It raises questions about whether Ms Abbott could join the new party being formed by Mr Corbyn and former Labour MP Zarah Sultana. For the time being, Ms Abbott will sit in the Commons as an independent MP. Adnan Hussain, who was elected as the independent MP for Blackburn last year, said on X: "We'd be honoured to have a giant like Diane join us, she [should] come to the side that would really appreciate her for the legend she is."

The prime minister was asked in the Commons on Wednesday by Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary if he would work with the Department of Health to end the "scandal". Xonvea is the only drug approved in the UK to treat the extreme vomiting and nausea caused by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which affects thousands of woman, about 3% of pregnancies, each year. Some women have it for several weeks, some their entire pregnancy, and it can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and serious physical and emotional distress, with some so ill they are terminating wanted pregnancies. Sir Keir said he would make sure Mr MacCleary has a meeting with a minister "to see what more can be done to get this treatment to patients who need it". The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital with HG during all three of her pregnancies. An inquest last year found a failure to provide adequate care to HG sufferer Jessica Cronshaw, who was 28 weeks pregnant when she took her own life, "contributed to her mental health deterioration". The charity Pregnancy Sickness Support has found it is a postcode lottery to get Xonvea on the NHS, despite 84% of 800 sufferers surveyed by the charity reporting it to be effective. Different NHS trusts and GPs have different rules on prescribing the drug, which costs the NHS about £28 for a 10-day supply - but £90 if bought privately. Woman terminated pregnancy after Xonvea denied Sarah Spooner, 32, terminated a pregnancy at 13 weeks in April after being denied Xonvea, which was first licensed for use in the UK in 2018, by her GP. The 32-year-old optometrist, who had HG for 40 weeks with her first child, had to take a 50-mile round trip to a hospital to get a two-week supply. After the second hospital trip, the prescription did not have a date so the pharmacy would not give her the drugs and she was feeling so much more ill than her first pregnancy she did not feel she could go on. She twice booked a termination but could not go through with it before eventually deciding it was the only option. A month later, her pharmacy told her it had an old prescription from her GP for Xonvea - the same GP who had said she could not have it. "It just felt like my whole body was saying 'this isn't happening'," she told Sky News. "When I went for the second attempt at a termination I was so upset they said they couldn't do it, and I said 'I don't really want it, to be honest'. "I remember the woman saying to me 'worst case scenario you've only got another seven months of this' and I was thinking another seven months of this is going to kill me." Mrs Spooner ran out of Xonvea the day before her third termination booking in Cardiff and was vomiting "non-stop" from 1am. "Going in to pick up antidepressants - because of everything - from the pharmacy a month later and being handed the bag of Xonvea was just the most horrific moment of my whole life," she added. She said the GP surgery investigated the incident, apologised, and has been very helpful since then, with her doctor pushing to get the health board to allow them to prescribe Xonvea at an early stage. Mrs Spooner's GP said they could not comment due to patient confidentiality. A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: "We're very sorry to hear of Mrs Spooner's experience. We do not underestimate how distressing this must have been for her and her family. "After the family contacted us via our Putting Things Right process, we have been liaising with them and are in the process of conducting an investigation into their concerns. "Our thoughts and sincere condolences remain with Mrs Spooner and her family at this very difficult time." The Welsh government told Sky News: "We rely on the expert advice of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the guidance of the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). "The AWMSG published advice in 2019 which confirms that Xonvea is not recommended for use within NHS Wales, and NICE has published guidance on the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and concluded that the evidence supporting the use of Xonvea is very old, of low quality and does not show a convincing effect on symptom improvement." 'End this postcode lottery' Charlotte Howden, who leads Pregnancy Sickness Support, told Sky News: "We welcome the mention of Xonvea and the postcode lottery at PMQs - it's a vital step forward for the thousands of pregnant women and people suffering from nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. "We've long called for urgent action on this issue. It remains an ongoing battle." She added: "Xonvea is the only medication licensed in the UK for pregnancy sickness, yet access still depends entirely on where you live. Many local formularies continue to reject it based on cost, even though a week's supply is cheaper than a single GP appointment and vastly less than a hospital admission, which is all too common for those who become severely dehydrated. "This isn't just poor care, it's a false economy. If the government is serious about prevention, long-term thinking, and equity, it must act to end this postcode lottery. "A meeting with the responsible minister must now follow - and we are ready to share our evidence and experience to help drive meaningful change." 'Women deserve better' Mr MacCleary told Sky News: "My own partner suffered with HG, so I know just how brutal and traumatic this condition can be. I first saw its devastating impact through her experience. "Sadly, some women have even felt forced into terminations or have taken their own lives because they couldn't get the treatment they needed - and this is entirely preventable. "That's why I asked the prime minister to urgently tackle this postcode lottery and meet with me and campaigners who've have been tirelessly working on this for years. Women deserve better - something must change." Sarah Smith, MP for Accrington where Ms Cronshaw lived, said her death "brings into sharp focus the devastating impact HG can have". She added: "Her story is heartbreaking and it underlines the urgent need to ensure fair access to treatments like Xonvea, wherever women live. I welcome the prime minister's commitment to working with ministers on this issue and will support efforts to end the postcode lottery for women facing this condition." Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

The Foreign Office has announced that three units of the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) have been hit with sanctions, alongside 18 military intelligence officers. Politics latest: Diane Abbott suspended from Labour GRU officers attempted to murder Yulia Skipal and her father Sergei using the deadly Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury. The 18 military intelligence officers have been targeted because of a sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity over many years, including in the UK, the Foreign Office said. The government also accused the GRU of using cyber and information operations to "sow chaos, division and disorder in Ukraine and across the world". One of the groups sanctioned, Unit 26165, conducted online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol, including the bombing of Mariupol Theatre where hundreds of civilians, including children, were murdered. Other military officers who have been sanctioned previously targeted Yulia Skripal's mobile phone with malicious malware known as X-Agent. The Skripals had moved to the UK after Sergei Skripal became a double agent, secretly working for the UK. He was tried for high treason and imprisoned in Russia - and later exchanged in a spy swap. Read more:Will Trump's shift in tone force Russia to the negotiating table?'Betrayed' Afghan interpreter says family 'waiting for death' But five years after Yulia's phone was targeted, the pair were poisoned with the nerve agent, Novichok, in Salisbury. Russia has always denied being involved in the chemical attack. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. "The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won't tolerate it." He said the UK was taking "decisive action" with the sanctions against Russian spies. "Putin's hybrid threats and aggression will never break our resolve. The UK and our allies' support for Ukraine and Europe's security is ironclad." Those sanctioned today include: • Aleksandr Vladimirovich Osadchuk • Yevgeniy Mikhaylovich Serbriakov • Anatoliy Sergeyvich Kovalev • Artem Valeryvich Ochichenko • The 161st Specialist Training Centre (TsPS) (Unit 29155) of the GRU • Vladislav Yevgenyevich Borovkov • Nikolay Aleksandrovich Korchagin • Yuriy Federovich Denisov • Vitaly Aleksandrovich Shevchenko • Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov • Aleksey Viktorovich Lukashev • Sergey Sergeyevich Vasyuk • Andrey Eduardovich Baranov • Aleksey Sergeyevich Morenets • Sergey Aleksandrovich Morgachev • Artem Adreyevich Malyshev • Yuriy Leonidovich Shikolenko • Victor Borisovich Netyksho • Dmitriy Aleksandrovich Mikhaylov • African Initiative • Artyom Sergeevich Kureyev • Anna Sergeevna Zamaraeva • Victor Aleksandrovich Lukovenko

Speaking to Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, the Labour peer said the Speaker - whose job she ran for in 2019 - should have asked for a key select committee to be made aware. A spokesperson for the Speaker said he was "himself under a super-injunction" and so "would have been under severe legal restrictions". A massive data breach by the British military that was only made public this week exposed the personal information of close to 20,000 Afghan individuals, endangering them and their families. Successive governments tried to keep the leak secret with a super-injunction, meaning the UK only informed everyone affected on Tuesday - three-and-a-half years after their data was compromised. The breach occurred in February 2022, when Boris Johnson was prime minister, but was only discovered by the British military in August 2023. A super-injunction, which prevented the reporting of the mistake, was imposed in September of that year. The previous Conservative government set-up a secret scheme in 2023 - which can only now be revealed - to relocate Afghan nationals impacted by the data breach but who were not eligible for an existing programme to relocate and assist individuals who had worked for the British government in Afghanistan. Some 6,900 Afghans - comprising 1,500 people named on the list as well as their dependents - are being relocated to the UK as part of this programme. Dame Harriet said: "The Speaker was warned, 'If somebody's going to say something which breaches this injunction, will you please shut them up straight away if an MP does this', and he agreed to do that. "But what he should have done at the time is he should have said, but parliamentary accountability is important. I'm the Speaker. I'm going to stand up for parliamentary accountability. And you must tell the Intelligence and Security Committee and allow them to hold you to account. "What's happened now is now that this is out in the open, the Intelligence and Security Committee is going to look at everything. So, it will be able to see all the papers from the MoD [Ministry of Defence]." Pressed on whether she meant the Speaker had failed to do his job, Dame Harriet replied: "Yes, and it's a bit invidious for me to be saying that because, of course, at that time, Lindsay Hoyle was elected a speaker, I myself ran to be speaker, and the House chose him rather than me. Read more:Afghan data breach: The fallout behind the scenesSixteen and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next election "So it's a bit bad to make this proposal to somebody who actually won an election you didn't win. But actually, if you think about the Speaker's role to stand up for parliament, to make sure that government is properly scrutinised, when you've got a committee there, which is security cleared to the highest level, appointed by the prime minister, and whose job is exactly to do this." A spokesperson for the Speaker said: "As has been made clear, Mr Speaker was himself under a super-injunction, and so would have been under severe legal restrictions regarding speaking about this. "He would have had no awareness which organisations or individuals were and were not already aware of this matter. "The injunction could not constrain proceedings in parliament and between being served with the injunction in September 2023 and the 2024 general election, Mr Speaker granted four Urgent Questions on matters relating to Afghan refugees and resettlement schemes. "Furthermore, as set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Speaker has no powers to refer matters to the Intelligence and Security Committee."

Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so. So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it's unleashed. Plus - the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip - officially for repeated defiance, but unofficially? A government source called it "persistent knobheadery". So is Keir Starmer tightening his grip or losing control? And how does this compare to rebellions of Labour past? Oh and singer Chesney Hawkes gets an unexpected mention. Responding to claims in the podcast about whether Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle could have scrutinised the government, a Commons spokesperson said: "As has been made clear, Mr Speaker was himself under a superinjunction, and so would have been under severe legal restrictions regarding speaking about this. He would have had no awareness which organisations or individuals were and were not already aware of this matter. "The injunction could not constrain proceedings in parliament and between being served with the injunction in September 2023 and the 2024 General Election Mr Speaker granted four UQs on matters relating to Afghan refugees and resettlement schemes. "Furthermore, as set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Speaker has no powers to refer matters to the Intelligence and Security Committee."