Labour's Diane Abbott condemns party's anti-immigration mug as 'shameful'

Diane Abbott, a former leadership contender, condemned as 'shameful' the mug, which carries the slogan 'controls on immigration'

Labour's anti-immigration mug

A senior MP led a backlash against a mug being sold by Labour in which the party trumpets its commitment to a tough immigration system.

Diane Abbott, a former leadership contender, condemned as “shameful” the mug, which carries the slogan “controls on immigration”.

Five different designs of the mug are being sold by the party to match its key general election promises on the economy, health service, tuition fees and energy bills as well as immigration.

Alongside a picture of the red mug Ms Abbott tweeted: “This shameful mug is an embarrassment. But real problem is that immigration controls are one of our 5 pledges at all.”

The Lib Dem MP, Julian Huppert, said: “Wow. The stories are true. Labour have actually produced a campaign mug championing ‘Controls on immigration’.”

Labour said there were no plans to withdraw from sale the mugs, which are being sold for £5 each on the party’s website.

A spokeswoman said: “Labour has five election pledges. This is one of them.”

Labour has said it will tighten immigration controls by stopping migrants claiming benefits for their first two years in Britain.