UK: Starmer Aide Resigns Over Diane Abbott Messages

UK: Starmer Aide Resigns Over Diane Abbott Messages
Above: Diane Abbott in London, England in June 2025. Image copyright: Lucy North/PA Images/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

Ovenden's gleeful recounting of vile, misogynistic remarks about Diane Abbott, Britain's longest-serving Black Member of Parliament, is disgraceful. This incident is a symptom of a much larger problem within Westminster and Starmer's boys' club. Beneath the polished image, this Labour government reveals itself as deeply flawed, out of touch and morally compromised.

Right narrative

While there is no denial that Ovenden's comments were inappropriate, resignation from a key role in delivering on government priorities will likely be quietly seen as an overreaction from Downing Street. Though undoubtedly nasty, cheap jokes from eight years ago should not be an adequate reason to leave No. 10, with this fiasco ultimately a sad sign of the times.

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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.15.2

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.15.2