Diane Abbott: Boris Johnson has ‘let down’ LGBT people in London
Labour MP Diane Abbott, who is running to be the next Mayor of London, has savaged Boris Johnson for his approach to LGBT issues.
The MP is one of six candidates running for her party’s nomination ahead of next year’s election – against fellow MPs Tessa Jowell, Sadiq Khan, David Lammy, and Gareth Thomas, and journalist Christian Wolmar.
She launched an attack on the current Mayor today, while outlining her pledges on LGBT issues.
Diane Abbott MP told PinkNews in a statement: “Over half of the UK’s LGBT population lives in London and Brighton and this inclusivity is part of what makes our city great. But Boris Johnson has let down LGBT Londoners down by ignoring their issues and failing to establish a good relationship with the community.
“I believe that the Mayor has an opportunity play an essential role in standing up for LGBT Londoners against all forms of discrimination, against the closure of venues, and in tackling the scandal of LGBT homelessness. I plan to be the Mayor for each and every Londoner.”
Ms Abbott pledged a range of policies – including appointing an LGBT adviser to City Hall, to work on tackling issues ranging from LGBT homelessness, to the closure of LGBT community venues, and LGBT health issues.
She also promised to maintain funding for Pride in London, pledging “ongoing funding for the main Pride event in the capital” – as well as implementing a zero-tolerance approach to anti-LGBT hate crime and domestic violence.
