Abbott: McDonnell 'doesn't want to disband MI5'

Diane Abbott defended shadow chancellor John McDonnell over allegations he signed a letter in April calling for Britain's security service MI5 to be disbanded.

Ms Abbott, shadow international development secretary, said the claims - including that he wanted to disarm the police - were not true.

After being shown a picture of Mr McDonnell holding the letter, Ms Abbott told Jo Coburn: "I'm sure he'll be clarifying it very shortly."

Mr McDonnell denies signing the letter.