at the general election. there had been uncertainty about her political future after she was readmitted by the party yesterday. ms abbott — who was the uk's first black woman mp — was suspended by labour last year after suggesting thatjewish, irish and traveller people did not face racism "all their lives." she later apologised. the breaking news about diane abbott was just put to labour's shadow health secretary wes streeting on bbc breakfast. here's what he had to say. well, you are right, lam hearing this for the first time. i am glad that yesterday the suspension of diane abbott was lifted and the whip was restored. what she said that led to her suspension was wrong, and when keir starmer said he would restore discipline and standards in the labour party, he really meant it. i think it is also important to acknowledge that diane abbott herself apologised and accepted she had done wrong and that apology has clearly been accepted. i am not up to speed with the latest decisions around diane abbott. my understanding was that the national executive committee has not yet taken decisions on approving candidates across the country so i am hearing this for the first time. that was where is this treating reacting itjust a little while ago. joining me now is daily mirrorjournalist, melissa sigodo. reaction coming and that she will not be allowed to stand, what is your reaction considering this is coming back off an investigation? it's an absolute travesty that diana saying she is not allowed to stand in the next general election. according to keir starmer, the investigation finished, it was still investigation finished, it was still in process and then find out from newsnight that actually, it finished five months ago. it is interesting to see that the information we have been told isn't necessarily accurate, and i think that a lot of people are wondering what exactly is going on. as for diane abbott, newsnight revealed that she was angry and depressed and worn out. this process has been going on since last april, so a really shocking here the after standing in parliament so long and constituents in her area so loyal to her, so really travesty to come to this. i really travesty to come to this. i know one of the today programme on bbc, and she said she wanted the opportunity to decide whether to stand again. that opportunity has been denied, and apologised making the comments. no specific response from labour now. what are you imagining is the thinking behind this decision? i imagining is the thinking behind this decision?— imagining is the thinking behind this decision? i can't imagine the thinkin: this decision? i can't imagine the thinking behind _ this decision? i can't imagine the thinking behind it. _ this decision? i can't imagine the thinking behind it. diane - this decision? i can't imagine the thinking behind it. diane is - this decision? i can't imagine the thinking behind it. diane is lovedi thinking behind it. diane is loved by her constituents. that doesn't make much sense from my point of view, but also, i think that the treatment of diane is appalling. when we saw what happened to her and how she studied 46 times and was interred, and even afterwards, she said she approached keir starmer and asked to restore the web. it didn't happen then, and apparently, that was when the investigation had concluded. the treatment of her, again, you see the way she's been neglected, being ignored, and are not being given the opportunity to stand in her constituency after all these years of service. she is a trailblazer. she was the first black female mp, and to be treated in such a way is absolutely appalling. it’s a way is absolutely appalling. it's appalling. talk to me about how diane abbott changed politics after 40 years of an mp. a number of firsts on her record. how has she changed the political landscape? i changed the political landscape? i think she's given a lot of young people hope, a lot of young black females help. they can get into her position, they can aim high and get into politics. they can have an opinion i can see things through. i think she is given a lot of useless and hope that they can do that, but now to see that come crashing down because keir starmer sees fit not to let her stand, it's a blow i would say, and it's a slap in the face not only to diane but to black people watching, to young black youths watching, to young black youths watching this. we watching, to young black youths watching this.— watching, to young black youths watchin: this. ~ ~' ., ., ., watching this. we know that labour is currently selecting _ watching this. we know that labour is currently selecting the _ watching this. we know that labour is currently selecting the remaining i is currently selecting the remaining candidates, a labour majority there in hackney north. what will seek that seat to look like without diane abbott? ., �* , , ., abbott? that'll be interesting to see. abbott? that'll be interesting to see- today _ abbott? that'll be interesting to see. today raleigh _ abbott? that'll be interesting to see. today raleigh is _ abbott? that'll be interesting to see. today raleigh is taking - abbott? that'll be interesting to i see. today raleigh is taking place outside hackney town hall. people are demanding for diane to be allowed to stand, and said if she doesn't stand, they will not vote. it's interesting, because that is a direct correlation that we receive it. if people do not vote for whoever labour but is there, that is the result of diane not being given the result of diane not being given the opportunity to run. we the result of diane not being given the opportunity to run.— the opportunity to run. we know jerem the opportunity to run. we know jeremy corby" — the opportunity to run. we know jeremy corbyn will _ the opportunity to run. we know jeremy corbyn will lay _ the opportunity to run. we know jeremy corbyn will lay out - the opportunity to run. we know jeremy corbyn will lay out his i jeremy corbyn will lay out his campaign, he is standing as an independence in islington north. that'll happen later today. just remind us of the connection between jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. the? jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. they are jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. tie: are long—standing friends. jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. tie1: are long—standing friends. they jeremy corbyn and diane abbott. ti3:1 are long—standing friends. they have been through this together, and really support each other. i think it's quite lovely to see. i would love to see more support for diane with other mp5, such as david lambie and all the other mps who have been through this journey with her, just to show their support, really. and do exactly whatjeremy corbyn is doing. at the end of the day, it's all about that solidarity to show that this is a respected person, this is someone who's done so much for everybody and she paved the way for everybody and she paved the way for those black female mps as well, to be in the position they are in, and i think a lot of support out whatjeremy corbyn is doing will be really appreciated. what what jeremy corbyn is doing will be really appreciated.— really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's _ really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's legacy, - really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's legacy, do - really appreciated. what will be diane abbott's legacy, do you l really appreciated. what will be - diane abbott's legacy, do you think? i think she has shown that she is stronger than anyone could have expected. i think what she is been through from frank hester in this process that the labour party said they were investigating, they have had to take so long and anybody else would have given up. itjust goes to show what a tough, political veteran she is and what a fighter she is. i think that will be her legacy. this is not over yet, and we will see more of diane, but i believe that she is a tough one to crack, and hasn't cracked yes.— she is a tough one to crack, and hasn't cracked yes. those protests, eo - le hasn't cracked yes. those protests, peeple arriving _ hasn't cracked yes. those protests, people arriving at _ hasn't cracked yes. those protests, people arriving at the _ hasn't cracked yes. those protests, people arriving at the town - hasn't cracked yes. those protests, people arriving at the town hall- hasn't cracked yes. those protests, people arriving at the town hall to l people arriving at the town hall to have their voices heard a little later. i went to how this will go down at labour headquarters. we've heard about a potential of their thinking, but if there is a setback, he is out on the campaign trail today? t he is out on the campaign trail toda ? ~ , ., , he is out on the campaign trail toda ? ~ i. , ., ., he is out on the campaign trail toda ? ~ , ., ., today? i think you 'ust have to look at what people — today? i think you just have to look at what people are _ today? i think you just have to look at what people are saying. - today? i think you just have to look at what people are saying. even - at what people are saying. even people have left comments and do my social media saying they will not be voting labour because this has really stung people. people are taking it personally because, like i said, this is the first black female mp. we know what she has been through, and to see it end like this, i think people are personally hurt. we are taking this on personally. it'll be interesting to see what keir starmer has to say, but i don't know if anyone will be listening at at this point any more. it's worth saying as well, we are just getting response to that announcements, and criticism saying they have taken a total lack of judgment against labour mp diane abbott. there is a potential backlash labour may face over the potential decision to bar her from standing. there will be questions to the labour party, and if that any responses, we'll bring it to you on bbc news. labour is promising to hit a key waiting time target in the nhs in england if it wins the general election. the target of 18 weeks for pay since —— patients... our correspondent leila nathoo is travelling with labour and joins me now. i want to stock without health promise and significant promise that labour putting and centre their campaign?— labour putting and centre their camaiun? ., �* campaign? good morning, ben. greetinas campaign? good morning, ben. greetings from _ campaign? good morning, ben. greetings from the _ campaign? good morning, ben. greetings from the m _ campaign? good morning, ben. greetings from the m 40. - campaign? good morning, ben. greetings from the m 40. this i campaign? good morning, ben. | greetings from the m 40. this is campaign? good morning, ben. - greetings from the m 40. this is one of the day that political parties like to earmark for certain themes. labour have chosen today to try and talk about the nhs. it is clearly one of the days that labour will be butting up against another sorry they don't want to focus on. there is a target in the west midlands today of trying to get the nhs waiting lists down. this target has been existing to get treatment done in 18 weeks, which hasn't been done since 2016. currently, 43% of people on waiting lists in nhs england are still waiting. they are hoping to clear that by the end of next parliament. they say they are also going to use spare capacity in the private sector, get private sector providing some of those appointments. they clearly see the nhs as the key assets for them in this election. you're going to hear much more from the shadow secretary, went straight in, throughout this campaign. they have been talking on the nhs and promise they can do more. they want to pledge £1.3 million to close the loopholes are non—dharmic tax status, that is people who are resident outside the uk. ' i? people who are resident outside the uk. ~ :: ., , ., , uk. the m 40 got the better of us, it seems. these _ uk. the m 40 got the better of us, it seems. these things _ uk. the m 40 got the better of us, it seems. these things happen, . it seems. these things happen, travelling around the country. in some cases, a magical mystery to us. correspondence will travel with candidates. let's get more on this with our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. a firm established lying to you, henry, and a lot to talk about at this stage. i want to start without diane abbott news this morning. i know you have been writing on the page upon bbc website, but there is questions to labour about the handling of this cookie is cut first and foremost, what are my mistresses.— and foremost, what are my mistresses. ~ , ., , , ., mistresses. then abbott has been an mp for 40 years- _ mistresses. then abbott has been an mp for 40 years. she _ mistresses. then abbott has been an mp for 40 years. she was _ mistresses. then abbott has been an mp for 40 years. she was the - mistresses. then abbott has been an mp for 40 years. she was the first. mp for 40 years. she was the first black woman mp, elected first in the 19705. she was a trailblazer, according to many. labour went to the country, telling the public that if they won, they would make diane abbott home secretary for sub now, it seems that in this general election, she is not going to be allowed to be a labour candidate. how long political career has seen to come to a close. this has frustrated labour mps to come to a close. this has frustrated labour mp5 for some time, especially with the handling of the case. she wrote a letter to the observer saying jewish people, irish people and travel are people did not experience racism in the same way as other groups. many mps would be happy that she would be barred from being a labour candidate again, but what they are not happy about come across ideological divides in the labour party, as a way in this case has dragged on for more than half a year, and the way it has been handled. a lot of labour mps, and people who are not natural allies of diane abbott think she has not been afforded the dignity she deserves because of her trailblazer status, and also the abuse she suffered online over the recent years. that is one of the important elements of this. the most important elements, diane abbott, a long—standing, big labourface of the diane abbott, a long—standing, big labour face of the party, will not be a candidate at the general election. ., , ., , , ., election. one of the questions you have been posing, _ election. one of the questions you have been posing, whether - election. one of the questions you have been posing, whether an - election. one of the questions you - have been posing, whether an apology would be sufficient, when her time will be coming to an end anyway. this is about clearing for a new generation of politicians ahead of this general election. i guess it depends on who you talk to in the party about which side of the debate they stand on? that party about which side of the debate they stand on?— they stand on? that is exactly riuht. they stand on? that is exactly right- there — they stand on? that is exactly right. there is _ they stand on? that is exactly right. there is a _ they stand on? that is exactly right. there is a generational| they stand on? that is exactly - right. there is a generational thing here, but also, of course diane abbott has always been firmly on the left of the labour party, the socialist campaign group. they have had their moment and jeremy corbynleadership. they were in the shadow cabinet, and the story of sir keir starmer�*s leadership has been him squeezing out those people. diane abbott has been marginalised because the labour party has moved towards the centre, for want of a better phrase. kim sam has put that the front of his election campaign. that one word slogan, change, is used. keir starmersent that one word slogan, change, is used. keir starmer sent to the public, not that he only offers change from the conservative party, but also wants them to know he has changed the labour party, and this is, i think they would happily say, a clear sign of that. that said, there is also, on the right centre of the labour party, those not on the left like fine art prints, a lot of respect and admiration for her, because of her historical role in the labour party, and because of her boundary breaking role in the labour party and party politics in general. that said, is there a danger that this overshadows what labour actually want to talk about today? is discussing it earlier with leila, they want to start their nhs treatment within 18 weeks, that will happen within five years. as a danger that we're all talking about diane abbott are not what they are actually launching today? i diane abbott are not what they are actually launching today?— actually launching today? i think it is bi aer actually launching today? i think it is bigger news _ actually launching today? i think it is bigger news than _ actually launching today? i think it is bigger news than what - actually launching today? i think it is bigger news than what labour. actually launching today? i think it i is bigger news than what labour has been launching today. we will talk about the announcement too, but it's about the announcement too, but it's a reminder that general election campaigns, which ever campaign you are, can be carefully plotted and graded. for labour, they will have had their campaign lined up day one, day two, day three months, if not years. of course, they won was not a day they were expecting, the announcement a week ago today by rishi sunak was a surprise to them. this grid has to account to the fact that things can happen that blow them off course. that said, a decision on diane abbott's future has had to be taken for some time. i think people would say, hang on a second, it's been talked about today because labour didn't make a decision earlier in that long, more than a yeartime, decision earlier in that long, more than a year time, which is suspended from the parliamentary labour party, but no clarity as to her political future. , ., , ., ., but no clarity as to her political future. , ., i. ., future. given what you have say about the _ future. given what you have say about the meticulous _ future. given what you have say about the meticulous timings i future. given what you have say about the meticulous timings in j future. given what you have say - about the meticulous timings in the planning that goes into things like this, how much of an own goal is this? this has caught them, when they were trying to plan what this first campaign would look like, they now how to deal with this, headline they don't want.— they don't want. let's see, i think generally. — they don't want. let's see, i think generally. and — they don't want. let's see, i think generally, and not— they don't want. let's see, i think generally, and not a _ they don't want. let's see, i think generally, and not a thing - they don't want. let's see, i think generally, and not a thing a - generally, and not a thing a politicaljournalist generally, and not a thing a political journalist at shea generally, and not a thing a politicaljournalist at shea and perhaps am agonist against myself here, but to rightly get into every little thing that happens in a general election campaign. of course, lots of general members of the public with busy lives will take more impressionistic sense of what happens over time. this will be a big story, perhaps the bigger story today, but tomorrow there will be something else. however, there has definitely been some failings, as i think even allies of keir starmer would say is, of labour's handling of this. there is this came to a head late last night and this morning is because of leaked briefing to the media that she would be bad, and turned out to be bang on t