DIANE Abbott has been slammed for claiming a Black Lives Matter was shot for standing up to racism – despite cops saying she wasn't targeted.
Sasha Johnson, 27, was left fighting for life after being blasted in the head at a house party in Peckham, South East London, on Sunday morning.
Labour MP Abbott has now been accused of stoking "tensions" after she suggested Sasha was attacked because of her race stance – after police confirmed there was no proof it was a targeted attack.
She tweeted: "Black activist #SashaJohnson in hospital in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
"Nobody should have to potentially pay with their life because they stood up for racial justice #BlackLivesMatter".
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP doubled down on her comments after appearing on LBC's Cross Question and BBC's Newsnight.
But she was branded "very irresponsible" for the remarks and accused of not knowing the facts.
LBC Host Iain Dale told Abbott yesterday: "You've linked this shooting to racial justice, even witnesses suggest this was gangland killing.
"Haven't you actually inflamed racial divides by tweeting something when you haven't done your homework?'
"Just by plainly linking it to racial justice, you are creating a division there when you don't know that's true."
The MP replied: "She [Sasha] is a black activist. She was shot in the head and people were concerned as to why.
"It may have been that she randomly took a bullet… we don't know for certain".
Dale replied: "Yes exactly, which is why you shouldn't have tweeted what you did."
Social media users also questioned Abbott's comments – and accused her of attempting to "create racial tension".
It comes after police today issued a fresh appeal for information and said they are still trying to establish a motive.
Cops also confirmed a group of "four black males dressed in dark coloured clothing" opened fire in the garden at around 3am before fleeing.
Commander Alison Heydari said: "We are aware of Sasha’s involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK and I understand the concern this will cause to some communities – however I wish to stress that at this time there is nothing to suggest Sasha was the victim of a targeted attack.
"We are also not aware of any reports of threats made against her prior to this incident.
"I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to identify those responsible and to bring them to justice."
But The Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) claim Sasha, who was a founder, was gunned down after receiving" numerous death threats as a result of her activism".
And they have slammed cops over the investigation – questioning how they can know it wasn't an intended hit if they haven't spoken to the mum-of-two.
The party also says they have received a barrage of abuse as Sasha – the self-styled 'Black Panther of Oxford' – remains in hospital.
They say trolls have been "celebrating Sasha's attack, messages wishing she dies, calling her a racist, and wishing better luck to the shooter next time for not killing her".
TTIP said in a statement: "The irony is in the fact that the police have stated there is no clear evidence that Sasha was the target of the attack, and that there are no credible death threats made towards her.
"However, how have the police come to this conclusion without being able to speak to Sasha regarding the death threats and investigate?
"Do the police know who the target of the attack was, in order to conclude that Sasha wasn't? How does one manage to shoot someone in the head accidentally?
"Surely, to end up in hospital having sustained a bullet shot to the head, makes a death threat more credible."
It comes after a pal, Imarn Ayton, claimed "rival gangs" were to blame for the shooting – rather than Sasha's "activism" for BLM.
Imran also revealed Sasha's surgery "went well" and she remains in hospital with her parents at her side.
She told the BBC: "There was a rival gang that may have heard about someone being in that party that they didn't feel quite comfortable with or trusted and so they resorted to driving past and shooting into the garden, and one of those shots obviously hit Sasha Johnson. But I don't believe she was the intended victim."
BLM held a vigil in Ruskin Park near King's College Hospital at 3pm yesterday to show support for the activist.
Upset friends and family were seen weeping and hugging each other as they gathered for Sasha.
A horrified neighbour reported hearing gunshots ringing out as the house and a woman "hysterically crying" as the party ended in bloodshed.
While another said: "I heard two shots three seconds apart. Then a car screeched off and I heard a woman desperately shouting for help."
Police were scrambled to the shooting, which was close to a house party, at around 3am yesterday.
Mum-of-two Sasha, who organised the BLM protests last year, was found suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was rushed to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
Detective Chief Inspector Jimi Tele said: "This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time.
"If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."
Sasha, who attended university in Oxford, had previously called for people accused of racism to be put on a sex offenders-style "race offenders register".
The youth worker and cafe owner gained attention over summer as a prominent figure at a number of BLM protests.
She had previously been a vocal supporter of the campaign to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University
Sasha has since helped to found the Taking the Initiative Party.
She serves on the party's executive committee as the member in charge of activism.
Speaking previously about the party's proposals, Sasha floated the idea of a race offences list that would protect minority groups from racist abuse and other discriminatory behaviour.
She also called for the police to be defunded following the death of George Floyd in the US and wants reparations to be made to black people in Britain via tax breaks.
Black Lives Matter has sought to distance itself from groups like TTIP and said it was not behind attempts in October to register a political party using the BLM name.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference CAD1172/23MAY or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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