Dawn Butler has been given the role of shadow black and minority ethnic communities minister in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet
Ms Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central, said: “I am very proud that the Labour party now has five MPs in our shadow cabinet from the BAME community – the highest number ever in any cabinet or shadow cabinet.”
Shami Chakrabarti, the former Liberty director who carried out a controversial investigation into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, is to be the new shadow attorney general.
Other key appointments include Holborn and St Pancras MP Keir Starmer is to be shadow Brexit Minister while Corbyn’s close ally Diane Abbott is to take the key role of shadow home secretary.
Ms Abbott tweeted: “Congratulations to @DawnButlerBrent in her new role as Shadow Minister for Black and Minority Ethnic communities. So proud.”
The Labour leader has so far been resistant to calls from former shadow cabinet members for the body’s membership to be decided by a ballot of MPs.
More reaction throughout the day.
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