<p><br /> A 21-year-old woman has been arrested after senior Labour MP Stephen Timms was stabbed in the stomach during a surgery in his east London constituency.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Timms, 54, was said to be in "good spirits" as he recovered in hospital after the incident at the Beckton Globe community facility in Kingsford Way, east London.<br /> </p><p><br /> The East Ham MP had been holding a regular surgery when he was attacked shortly after 3pm on Friday.<br /> </p><p><br /> A spokeswoman for Barts and the London NHS Trust said: "Stephen Timms MP was taken to the Royal London this afternoon after being stabbed in the abdomen and is in a stable condition."<br /> </p><p><br /> A Labour Party spokesman said: "Stephen was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital. He is currently undergoing tests, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. He has received visitors and is in good spirits.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Stephen would like to express his thanks and gratitude to both the staff at Beckton Globe for their assistance, and the ambulance and hospital staff for their fantastic care."<br /> </p><p><br /> Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said: "One of the great strengths of the British political system is the everyday accessibility of MPs to their constituents but we can't have a situation where MPs are at risk.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Parliament needs to consider how best to ensure MPs can carry out their responsibilities safely."<br /> </p>
