The Labour MP and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott has condemned the online abuse faced by the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

Kuenssberg is currently covering the Labour party’s annual conference in Brighton, and media reports suggest she has been accompanied by a bodyguard after receiving threats on social media. The high-profile journalist is a divisive figure for many on the left, who believe she is biased against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

However, Abbott – one of Corbyn’s oldest friends and closest allies – has urged Kuenssberg’s detractors not to resort to online bullying and threats. Abbott faced horrific racist and sexist cyber-abuse in the run-up to the general election in June, and has previously spoken out about the impact of online harassment.

“Don’t do it. Just don’t do it,” Abbott told The Guardian, when asked what she would say to Labour supporters regarding online abuse.

Diane Abbott calls on supporters to end abuse of BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg