Alex Armstrong has expressed surprise after backing former Labour MP Diane Abbott’s recent criticism of the Labour leadership.
Ms Abbott, the longest-serving female MP in the House of Commons, is currently suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation.
Her suspension came after she defended earlier remarks on racism, which had previously sparked a major controversy and a year-long suspension from the party.
Speaking to Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Ms Abbott described the wave of endorsements for Sir Keir and other staged displays of loyalty in Parliament as “staged” and warned that the May elections are likely to produce “catastrophic” results for Labour.
Ms Abbott was interviewed by Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy
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Channel 4
The comments come amid the fallout from Sir Keir’s controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States in 2024.
Mr Mandelson, now under police investigation for alleged misconduct in public office, maintained close ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions over the Prime Minister’s vetting process.
Former Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and other senior Labour figures allegedly warned Sir Keir against the appointment, but the Prime Minister proceeded regardless.
The scandal has already claimed several high-profile resignations, including Sir Keir’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, and sparked calls from some Labour MPs and opposition figures for the Prime Minister to step down.
Alex has admitted surprise with his latest take
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GB NEWSDespite this, Sir Keir insists he will “fight for his job” and retain Cabinet support.
During the interview, Ms Abbott did not hold back. “I think the round of applause in the committee just now was staged, just as all those endorsements of the Prime Minister, which appeared within five minutes of each other, were staged,” she said.
“I can’t see him lasting beyond May’s elections.”
She went on to explain the leadership’s reasoning: “Because they’re going to be catastrophic elections. And I think the idea is let him stay in there and take responsibility.”
When pressed on why the party wouldn’t act sooner, she added: “Well, it’s not down to me… We’re going to have catastrophic results anyway. That’s why Anasawa stepped up, because he doesn’t want to see the Scottish Labour Party go down.
“He may be moved before then, but I think he’ll last until May.”
Mr Abbott continued to reference the ongoing fallout from the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.
“The man and woman on the Stoke Newington High Street are really disgusted that Starmer signed off on somebody to be our ambassador in Washington, someone whose best friend rapes 14-year-olds,” she said.
The suspended Labour MP also questioned the government’s ability to function effectively.
She said: “I wouldn’t call it a zombie government, but we’re not going to get much done between now and May.
“Starmer thinks he can pull it all together, but I don’t think he can. What we need to do… is draw a line under that type of thinking. And Keir Starmer isn’t the man to do it.”
Alex re-posted the interview on X, admitting he was surprised to find himself in agreement with the MP, writing: “Never thought I’d say this but Dianne Abbott has got this spot on.”
Fans of The People’s Channel presenter were quick to share their thoughts.
One viewer penned: “She’s been more intelligent since she left Labour.”
Another added: “She’s spoke out previously about Starmer hasn’t she. She doesn’t approve of him for sure.”
A third compared Ms Abbott to “the human equivalent of the broken clock that still tells the correct time twice a day”.
Meanwhile, another joked: “We all need to get behind her to make her PM. Imagine how funny that would be.”
Many viewers seemed just as surprised as Alex to find themselves agreeing with the former Labour MP. One social media user commented: “I never usually agree with her, but this time she is 100% spot on!”