British Labour lawmaker Stephen Timms attacked in east London, injuries not life-threatening

British lawmaker attacked in east London

LONDON — A British lawmaker was stabbed Friday by a woman he did not know during an advice session with his constituents, Labour Party officials said.

Stephen Timms, the member of Parliament for the constituency of East Ham and the former financial secretary to the Treasury, was being treated at Royal London Hospital after the attack for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, a statement from the Labour Party said.

“He has received visitors and is in good spirits,” the statement said.

Unmesh Desai, who acted as Timms’ aide during Britain’s recent general election, said the lawmaker, 54, would be kept in the hospital overnight for observation and treatment. He said Timms was “obviously shaken.”

The lawmaker was holding his regular consultation with constituents when a woman — who neither Timms nor his staff recognized — approached him, Desai said.

A spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police said a 21-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident.

Timms has represented the area since 1994. He was re-elected last week with the largest majority in Britain’s House of Commons, Desai said.

In January 2000, Liberal Democrat lawmaker Nigel Jones and his aide Andrew Pennington were attacked by a man wielding a sword during office hours set aside to meet with constituents.

Pennington was killed and Jones injured in the attack in Cheltenham, England. A man was later jailed for attempted murder and manslaughter.

“It brought back horrible memories of 10 years ago,” Jones told the BBC on Friday. “I just hope Stephen is going to be OK.

“My advice to him is take your time to get properly healed — not just the physical injuries, but also the mental injuries as well, because his confidence will have taken a knock.”