Labour have confirmed Diane Abbott is standing as a candidate for the party in Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which is in charge of final approval of election candidates, has given the go-ahead for the veteran MP to stand in the seat she has held for 37 years.

It published the list of approved Labour candidates for the election on Tuesday lunchtime ahead of the deadline for all nominations on Friday afternoon.

The decision comes after a week of confusion over whether she would be allowed to stand following the Labour whip being restored to her after a year-long suspension while she was investigated for writing a letter saying Jewish, Irish and Traveller people do not face racism.

She apologised soon after the letter was published.

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After days of confusion, including on Ms Abbott’s part, Sir Keir said last week it was not up to him to decide if she could stand, as it was up to the NEC panel.

But eventually, he said she would be allowed to stand for Labour.

Ms Abbott, the UK’s first female black MP, had accused Sir Keir of carrying out a “cull of left wingers”.

Her close friend and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled from the party and is standing as an independent in neighbouring Islington North, told Sky News Sir Keir is “clearly intervening” in a “purge” of left-wing candidates.

On Sunday, Ms Abbott said she “intends to run and win” following speculation she may choose to stand down.

Ahead of the final decision by the NEC on Tuesday, Sir Keir said: “Look, we’ve dealt with the Diane Abbott issue. I made the position absolutely clear last week when I said she was free to run for the election.

“She’s one of the candidates that we now put before the electorate.”

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