Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has confessed to declaring £40,000 in earnings nearly eighteen months after the parliamentary deadline, attributing the significant delay to the relentless pressures of her political duties.
Substantial Sum Declared Late
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP submitted three separate late entries to the Commons register of interests, covering earnings from her work with Lloyds Bank and The Guardian newspaper. The declarations, which should have been made within 28 days of payment, were filed between 13 and 18 months after the required deadline.
'Work Pressure' Cited as Primary Reason
In her defence, Ms Abbott pointed to the overwhelming nature of her parliamentary responsibilities. "The late registration was due to work pressure and I apologise for the oversight," the MP stated through a spokesperson.
The delayed declarations included:
- £27,500 from Lloyds Banking Group for a webinar and follow-up work in December 2022
- £10,000 from The Guardian for a column published in March 2023
- £2,500 from The Guardian for another column from October 2022
Not the First Offence
This isn't the first time Ms Abbott has faced scrutiny over declaration delays. In 2022, she was suspended from the Labour Party for suggesting Jewish people don't experience racism "all their lives" - comments for which she later issued a comprehensive apology.
Parliamentary Standards Under Scrutiny
The incident raises fresh questions about accountability and transparency within Westminster, particularly concerning how MPs manage their declaration responsibilities alongside their demanding parliamentary workloads.
Ms Abbott, who has represented her constituency since 1987 and made history as Britain's first black female MP, continues to serve as an independent MP pending the outcome of a Labour investigation.
