Diane Abbott has claimed she has been barred from standing as a Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington at the General Election.

The former shadow home secretary has told the BBC she will not be allowed to stand for the Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency on July 4, despite her suspension being lifted following an investigation.

Ms Abbott's suspension in April 2023 followed a letter to the Observer newspaper stating that unlike Black people, Jewish, Irish and Traveller communities do not encounter racism "all their lives".

The Labour leadership is yet to comment on her claim that she has been barred by the party from standing at the next election. She won a majority of more than 33,000 votes at the last election.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Breakfast: "I am not up to speed with the latest decisions around Diane Abbott.

"My understanding was that the National Executive Committee hasn't yet taken decisions on approving candidates across the country so I'm hearing this for the first time."

Ms Abbott's comments causing the suspension were in a letter to the Observer, where she wrote that Irish, Jewish and Traveller "undoubtedly experience prejudice" which is "similar to racism" but they are "not all their lives subject to racism".

She apologised and withdrew her comments. Abbott also said the letter was an initial draft sent by mistake. Labour launched an investigation in April 2023.

The party's National Executive Committee issued her a "formal warning" for her conduct, which it judged "prejudicial" and "detrimental" to the Labour Party.

Ms Abbott completed a two-hour antisemitism awareness course in February, after which she reportedly received an email acknowledging completion from Labour's chief whip.

Ms Abbott became the first Black woman to be elected to Parliament in 1987 and served as shadow home secretary under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn confirmed he will stand against Labour as an independent candidate in Islington North, a seat he has held since 1983.

Labour is currently selecting the remaining candidates to represent the party ahead of a meeting to endorse them next week.

The date for legal closure of nominations is June 7.