Diane Abbott’s letter about racism to newspaper was sent twice from her own email address, it has been claimed.
Both versions were identical and the veteran MP made no effort to revise it in the seven days after it was sent to The Observer, according to the Jewish Chronicle.
The newspaper reports that the first time the email was sent, Ms Abbott received an automatic reply asking her to submit it again with the addition of a postal address.
Ms Abbott sent it a second time leaving the text of the letter unchanged, according to the newspaper.
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP lost the whip over the weekend when a row erupted over the letter.
In her letter, Ms Abbott – who made history as the first black woman to become an MP – responded to a comment piece which suggested that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people all suffer from racism in the UK.
She said: “Tomiwa Owolade claims that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people all suffer from ‘racism’.
“They undoubtedly experience prejudice. This is similar to racism and the two words are often used as if they are interchangeable.
“It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience this prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism.
“In pre-civil rights America, Irish people, Jewish people and Travellers were not required to sit at the back of the bus. In apartheid South Africa, these groups were allowed to vote.
“And at the height of slavery, there were no white-seeming people manacled on the slave ships.”
But she withdrew her remarks yesterday morning following widespread condemnation.
She said: “I am writing regarding my letter that was recently published in the Observer. I wish to wholly and unreservedly withdraw my written remarks and disassociate myself from them.
“The errors arose in an initial draft being sent. But there is no excuse and I wish to apologise for any anguish caused.
“Racism takes many forms and it is completely undeniable that Jewish people have suffered its monstrous effects, as have Irish people, travellers and many others.
“Once again, I would like to apologise publicly for the remarks and any distress caused as a result of them.”
Ms Abbott has been contacted for comment.
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