All politicians expect criticism. But has the treatment of Diane Abbott crossed a line?

Is the Conservative and media mockery of Jeremy Corbyn's close ally motivated by racism and sexism - or part of the rough and tumble of politics?

By Anoosh Chakelian

“For god’s sake, Diane, this has such cut-through!” groaned a Labour aide to me a few weeks ago. While out campaigning in a marginal seat, they had heard the shadow home secretary Diane Abbott mess up an LBC interview about Labour’s policy to increase the number of police officers. And so had voters.

“Diane’s interview came up on the doorstep a lot,” my source despaired.