Labour’s Diane Abbott accused of snubbing coppers after saying she’s ‘too busy’ to attend Police Federation centenary
LABOUR’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott was last night accused of snubbing rank and file coppers after refusing to attend tomorrow’s Police Federation’s centenary celebrations.
She told the Police Federation she was “too busy” to attend because of the election campaign, according to a source.
This is despite her defending one of the UK’s safest seats of Hackney North & Stoke Newington with a 35,139 majority.
In contrast, the Home Secretary Priti Patel will make the keynote speech at the event to mark 100 years of the police officers’ trade union at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster today.
A Police Federation insider said Ms Abbott’s absence exposes “the priority about where they want to be”.
It comes two years after the Shadow Home Secretary was humiliated after getting lost on stage twice at the Police Federation conference and was heckled by hundreds of officers.
‘A DISASTER FOR OUR NATION’S SAFETY’
A senior Tory source blasted: “It’s a shame Diane doesn’t value the contribution our fantastic police force make to our country’s security.
“Corbyn and Abbott would be a disaster for our nation’s safety.
“Priti has always got the back of our boys in blue, and will make sure they have the tools they need to make criminals scared to walk the streets.”
The Police Federation said she was not “specifically invited” but an invitation had been sent out to Labour to attend the event.
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Nobody from the party is due to attend today’s event, the organisation said.
An insider said it was “strange” the Shadow Home Secretary – who could be in charge of the nation’s police force in just a matter of weeks, was not attending an event to celebrate 100 years of the staff body.
Diane Abbott did not respond to a request for comment.
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