LABOUR’S SHADOW Home Secretary Diane Abbott was named Icon of the Year at London at the inaugural Viacom Diversity in Media Awards on Friday (Sep 15).
The Labour MP, who became the UK’s first black female Member of Parliament some 30 years ago, increased her already sizeable majority at this year’s general election.
Ms Abbott won 75% of the vote in her Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency, despite being subjected to vicious personal attacks on social media.
Just this week, the MP sparked both fury and admiration after revealing the extent of the abuse she receives on Twitter in an interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Award organisers praised the close ally of Jeremy Corbyn for using her political profile to promote better BAME representation.
The Hackney MP, who in 2010 stood for the Labour leadership, has been a fierce champion for civil liberties.
She is also the founder of the London Schools and Black Child initiative, which aims to raise educational achievement levels amongst black children.
The Diversity in Media Awards, which took place at the Waldorf Hilton, celebrated those who work to promote diversity across Britain’s media industries.
Commenting on Diane Abbott’s honour, awards co-founder Linda Riley said: “For thirty years Diane Abbott has been a strong and visible advocate for BAME people living and working in Britain. She has blazed a trail in ensuring that UK Parliament better reflects the diversity of society it is designed to represent, standing up for issues that affect those who are black or ethnic minority."
“These awards celebrate the people and organisations striving to make our media landscape more diverse, and it has been wonderful to congratulate Diane on her lifetime of achievements this evening.”
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