Royal Mail investigating fake stamps with Diane Abbott’s face on ‘working their way through postal network’

The franked fake stamp with Diane Abbott's face on it. Archant

Royal Mail is investigating fake stamps bearing Diane Abbott’s face that have apparently been making their way around the postal network.

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The fake stamp with Diane Abbott's face on it. The fake stamp with Diane Abbott's face on it.

Photographs of the stamps - one postmarked and another that has yet to be franked - have been shared with the Gazette by someone claiming to be a postal worker.

They said more than a dozen of the stamps had been seen by colleagues, some of which were on letters originating outside of the capital.

The worker told the Gazette: "I have spotted what apparently nobody else has... there's a Diane Abbott stamp making it through the mail.

"They definitely aren't coming from only, or going to only, to Hackney. Some colleagues have also spotted them, but only since I mentioned it. It's becoming a bit like a hunt for the golden ticket!"

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The anonymous postie said the stamps featuring the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP could be a "lighthearted stunt". Nevertheless, faking stamps is a serious offence, and the Royal Mail is looking into the matter.

It comes weeks after Mare Street pub The Cock Tavern brewed a special Solidarity Mojito Beer to support Ms Abbott after she was snapped drinking a can of M&S mojito on the London Overground.

Drinking is banned on TfL services, but the response was overwhelmingly supportive of the MP and the drink has since sold out in shops.

The Royal Mail hasn't seen the funny side of the stamps, though. A spokesperson told the Gazette: "It is a crime to create or use counterfeit stamps. Royal Mail takes the necessary steps to protect stamp revenues which help fund the universal postal service which serves the UK's 30million households and businesses.

"We will seek to prosecute where we find someone has created counterfeit stamps or knowingly sold used stamps for re-use. This matter is being investigated by our security team."

Ms Abbott has been contacted for comment.