Following news reports yesterday about Diane Abbott allegedly being barred from standing as a Labour MP, I noticed that in the clips of her speaking about it at a rally, standing next to her was Ngozi Fulani, who accused a lady-in-waiting at the palace of racism. The news reports I saw didn't pick up on Fulani's presence, but the Evening Standard has.

Charity boss at centre of royal race row Ngozi Fulani stands with Diane Abbott

As Diane Abbott made a last stand for her political career yesterday at a rally outside Hackney Town Hall, we spotted a familiar figure holding the veteran MP’s hand throughout. To her left stood Ngozi Fulani, who runs the Hackney-based Sistah Space charity in Abbott’s constituency. Fulani made headlines in 2022 when she complained about one of the late Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, repeatedly asking her where she “really came from” at a Buckingham Palace reception.

At yesterday’s hastily organised rally, Fulani escorted Abbott to the steps of Hackney Town Hall and stood beside her, largely in silence, as the MP told locals she was “so shocked and so alarmed about what is going on.” Abbott had the Labour whip restored this week but then there were confused briefings from Labour about whether or not she would be permitted to stand as a candidate in the seat she has represented since 1987. After the rally, Fulani and her Sistah Space colleagues released a video on social media. “They’re saying that they’ve taken the whip from her. They’ve given her back the whip,” said Fulani.

“The use of the word whip is very unfortunate but that’s another subject for another time.” She added: “I don’t know what is going on but it doesn’t feel good. We need clarity. Keir Starmer: you need to stop playing with us and treat Diane Abbott with respect. Treat Diane Abbott, and all of us, with respect.” During the Hussey scandal, Abbott said: “Ridiculous for a Buckingham Palace aide to be so rude to my friend and constituent Ngozi Fulani. Next thing they will be asking me ‘Where do you REALLY come from?’” Fulani received so much abuse on social media after complaining that she decided to temporarily step down as CEO of Sistah Space.
The fact that Fulani has a problem with the word "whip" in the political context and in relation to Diane Abbott suggests that she finds racism where it doesn't exist.