1 May 2020updated 23 Jul 2021 9:25am

Labour’s Zoom call row reveals a party deeply divided over racism

The row over Diane Abbott and Bell Ribeiro-Addy's online meeting with expelled members has underlined Labour's continuing split.

By Ailbhe Rea

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott is seen arriving at the Houses of Parliament on October 2, 2019 in London, England. Ms Abbott replaced Jeremy Corbyn for today's Prime Minister's Questions as hundreds of Thomas Cook workers protested in Westminster calling for an enquiry in to the collapse of firm. The 178-year-old company entered compulsory liquidation, putting 22,000 jobs worldwide at risk, on September 23. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Keir Starmer is facing his first test over anti-Semitism since becoming Labour leader, as a fresh row breaks out within the party over his response to two Labour MPs addressing an online meeting which included activists who had been expelled from the party.

Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a former shadow immigration minister under Jeremy Corbyn, addressed a Zoom meeting on Wednesday night entitled “Labour leaks: lessons for the left”, organised by Jewish Voice for Labour and the Labour Representation Committee, a socalist pressure group presided over by John McDonnell. Activists who joined the call included Jackie Walker and Tony Greenstein, who were both expelled from the Labour Party for rule breaches following claims of anti-Semitic behaviour.