Diane Abbott says she intends to ‘run and win’ as Labour candidate

Party veteran says she has never been offered Lords seat and would not accept if offered

Diane Abbott has said she intends to run and win" for Labour in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, days before a meeting of the party's executive is expected to rubber-stamp her candidacy.

Keir Starmer said last week that Abbott was free to stand" as a Labour candidate after regaining the whip after a long suspension. It followed days of speculation that Abbot would be blocked from standing, culminating in her accusing Labour of carrying out a cull of leftwingers".