Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP gets her chance after a reshuffle by Labour leader

DIANE ABBOTT has been promoted to shadow Home Secretary in a reshuffle of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. She will replace Andy Burnham as he embarks on a campaign to be mayor of Manchester.

This is the third promotion in a year for one of Labour’s most powerful players. First from the backbench to shadow International Development Secretary, and then to shadow Health Secretary to the position she will now occupy.

The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP said of her new role: “I am honoured to serve. My first job when I left university was as a graduate trainee in the Home Office, so my career has come full circle.”

Along with four other shadow cabinet members – Dawn Butler, Shami Chakrabarti, Clive Lewis and Kate Osamor – Ms Abbott is a part of the most ethnically diverse shadow cabinet to date.