Diane Abbott says she WILL run for Labour in the General Election and shoots down claims she was offered a seat in the Lords - insisting 'I would not accept one'

Diane Abbott has said she intends 'to run and to win as Labour's candidate' in the General Election, while shooting down claims she was offered a seat in the Lords.

Writing on social media, Ms Abbott said reports left-wing MPs had been offered peerages to stand down were 'factually incorrect' and insisted 'I would not accept one'.

It comes following a bitter row in the Labour Party over whether they would select her as a candidate.

But after days of indecision and speculation, the veteran Left-wing MP has said she intends 'to run and to win' as the Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington.

She said: '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.'

The Labour party is yet to comment.  

Ms Abbott was suspended from Labour last year after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism, sparking a long-running process which saw her sit as an Independent MP.

She had the Labour whip restored this week, but it was briefed out that she might be 'barred' from running for the party in the General Election.

For days, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether Ms Abbott would be defending her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat on July 4, as he faced claims of a 'purge' of left-wing candidates.

On Friday he said she was 'free' to run after the row over her candidacy overshadowed much of the story of Labour's campaign last week.

More to follow.