Dianne Abbott apologises for drinking cocktail on TfL overground service
Dianne Abbott has apologised after a photo of her drinking a mojito on a Transport for London service was circulated on social media and various news websites.
The shadow home secretary was enjoying the cocktail on one of London's overground trains as she commuted home, which is banned.
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She said: "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 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.
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) April 19, 2019
Many of the replies to her on Twitter were supportive, with one person saying they "have never felt more represented" by the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
However, drinking on all TfL services was made illegal by former London mayor Boris Johnson in 2008.
"I'm determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London and create a better environment for the millions of Londoners who rely on it," said Johnson in June 2008, at the time he implemented the ban.
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"That's why from this Sunday 1 June [2008] the drinking of alcohol will be banned from the Tube, tram, buses and Docklands Light Railway, with the full support of the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police.
"I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on London's public transport will create a better travelling environment for all Londoners and that if we drive out antisocial behaviour and so-called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime."