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Labour’s Diane Abbott breaks the law by swigging can of mojito on the train home
SHADOW Home Secretary Diane Abbott was slammed for illegally downing an alcoholic cocktail on a train.
Drinking alcohol is against the law on all Tubes, buses and trains run by Transport for London.
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The outspoken Labour MP stunned fellow passengers by swigging a £2 can of Marks and Spencer mojito on an Overground service.
Ms Abbott — who has campaigned to end the sale of cheap alcohol — downed the rum cocktail on a journey through her constituency in North London last Saturday.
After the picture was circulated she "sincerely apologised" for drinking on the Overground.
She wrote on Twitter: "A photo of me drinking from a can of M&S mojito on the Overground has been circulated. I'm sincerely sorry for drinking on TFL."
A passenger said she was drinking on the carriage at 1pm.
They said: “She kept her head down and was staring at her phone but kept slurping from the can. It was 1pm, so a bit early to be drinking — especially in public.”
Another added: “There are clear signs up in the carriages which say alcohol is banned. She was lucky there wasn’t an inspector on board.”
TfL should be looking into this and sending her a fine. She should face action as a deterrent to others.
Mick Neville, retired Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector
There is no suggestion that Ms Abbott, 65, was drunk or behaving in a disorderly manner.
Susan Hall, who sits on the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, said: “As someone who aspires to be Home Secretary, Diane Abbott should know better.
“How can she have any credibility if she’s willing to break the law?
“This is typical of a Labour politician; one rule for them and another for everyone else.”
Mick Neville, a retired Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector, said: “It’s shocking that she is breaching a law that was brought in to keep order on public transport.
“London’s got enough problems without senior politicians drinking on trains.
“TfL should be looking into this and sending her a fine. She should face action as a deterrent to others.
“She should be the most upright citizen in London, not doing stupid things like this.”
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The “ready to drink” 25cl can of mojito contains two measures of white rum — two units of alcohol — making it eight per cent in strength.
A TfL spokesman said people found boozing on trains could be fined or even arrested.
Last night Ms Abbott’s spokesman failed to respond to requests for comment.
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What the law says
DRINKING on trains is not illegal in most parts of the UK and some services sell alcohol on board.
However, Transport for London has policies — backed by by-laws — that ban passengers in the capital from drinking or opening alcohol containers on trains, trams and buses.
Drinking on Scottish trains is also prohibited between 9pm and 10am.
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