The London Daily News

News Desk

Diane Abbot the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington has apologised over her comments on Twitter that ''White people love playing 'divide & rule'".

In a statement, Ms Abbott said: "I apologise for any offence caused."

"I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people," she said.

"I do not believe in doing that."

The Shadow Business Secretary Mr Umunna said on the BBC:

"Ed Miliband has spoken to her this morning and made it very clear in no uncertain terms that the contents of the tweet were unacceptable.

"If Diane believed the words as they were expressed and she had not apologised then Ed Miliband would obviously have taken the requisite action.

"For us as politicians, Twitter is a very useful tool to communicate with people, but it has its perils."