Rupa Huq is a Labour MP Again After Whip Restored
She was required to complete training courses after Kwarteng comments
Rupa Huq (right) at the Labour Party fringe meeting. Picture: Twitter
March 8, 2023
The Labour Party has confirmed that the suspension of Rupa Huq has been lifted and she has had the whip restored.
The Ealing Central and Acton MP was suspended after making comments about the former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
She said, “I’m sorry if I was not making myself understood clearly. He superficially is a black man.”
She added that he had gone to one of the top schools in the country and that you wouldn’t know he was black if you heard him on Radio 4’s Today programme.
Sir Keir Starmer described the comments as ‘racist’ and they were condemned as unacceptable by Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner.
After the recording emerged, Dr Huq immediately contacted Mr Kwarteng to offer what she described as ‘sincere and heartfelt apologies’.
Dr Huq said this Thursday (2 March), “During my suspension I have reflected on the offence caused by my remarks at last year’s Labour Party Conference and I want to offer, once again, my sincere apologies to everyone affected.
“As I promised at the time, I have undertaken and completed anti-racism and bias training.
“I want to make clear that I accept fully the conclusion of the Party’s inquiry and the sanction it has imposed.”
She was effectively sitting as an independent MP since 27 September last year after a recording emerged of her speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference in Liverpool the night before.
During that time, she has continued to be an active constituency MP and joined campaigns and shared platforms with Labour Party MPs.
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