Stabbed MP Stephen Timms 'comfortable'
Updated on 15 May 2010
A spokewoman for the Royal London Hospital says the Labour MP Stephen Timms had surgery last night on his stomach to repair his stab wounds, and is now 'resting on a ward'.
The former treasury minister and East Ham MP was attacked yesterday while holding his fortnightly constituency surgery in Newham, east London.
He was stabbed twice in his stomach at the Beckton Globe library.
A 21-year-old woman was arrested. Police say a knife was also recovered.
Mr Timms, 54, was taken to the Royal London Hospital for treatment.
This morning, a spokeswoman said: "Stephen Timms had surgery yesterday evening at the Royal London Hospital to repair his stab wounds.
"The operation went well. He is comfortable and resting on a ward.
"It is anticipated that he will be discharged from hospital in the next few days to recuperate at home."
The attack on Mr Timms has raised new concerns about the safety of MPs during their meetings with constituents.
In 2000, Liberal Democrat MP Nigel Jones was wounded and his aide Andrew Pennington was stabbed to death in a sword attack during a constituency surgery at the party's office in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Mr Jones, a married father of three, was conducting his weekly surgery when he received cuts to his hands and arms after fending off blows from Robert Ashman, who was later jailed for manslaughter and attempted murder.
