Hackney’s Diane Abbott has vowed to “run and win” as a Labour candidate and denied reports she had been offered a seat in the House of Lords.
Abbott, who was first elected 37 years ago, announced her candidacy for Hackney North and Stoke Newington last night (May 2) in response to reports she was “weighing her options”.
The Sunday Times had reported that Abbott had been offered a peerage if she agreed not to run as a Labour candidate on July 4.
Taking to X, the veteran MP said: “This is factually incorrect. I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered.
“I am the adopted Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington. I intend to run and to win as Labour's candidate.”
This is factually incorrect. I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered.
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) June 2, 2024
I am the adopted Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington. I intend to run and to win as Labour's candidate.https://t.co/lAfrehJdVm
It comes after a week of speculation over Abbott’s future as a Labour candidate.
The 70-year-old was reinstated as an MP for the party, a year after she was suspended after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller do not face racism “all their lives”.
But upon her return to the Labour benches, it was reported that she might still be “barred” from running for the party at the general election.
For days, the row overshadowed Labour’s election campaign, with leader Sir Keir Starmer refusing to confirm whether Abbott could defend her seat.
On Friday (May 31), he confirmed that she was “free” to run – paving the way for her candidacy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here