John Cryer - Leyton & Wanstead

Because of the coronavirus pandemic I have been unable to hold my regular surgeries, but it is still important to me that I am accessible to residents.

Until further notice my usual advice surgeries will be temporarily replaced by regular telephone surgeries. I have decided on telephone rather than video conferencing to be as inclusive as possible.

To make an appointment to speak to me please call 020 8989 5249.

Coronavirus and how this could affect my team, my office and working for and with you.

John Cryer MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA John Cryer MP, 6 Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, London E11 1HT John.cryer.mp@parliament.uk

IF MY TEAM OR I HAVE SYMPTOMS:

If I or my team contract Coronavirus, this will obviously have an impact on our ability to attend Parliament (debates, lobbying, signing EDMs asking Questions etc) and in the constituency (attending events, meetings, surgeries and processing casework). Please understand I operate a small team and if any of them contract Coronavirus this will unfortunately have an impact on casework turnaround times.

We will look at each piece of casework as we do already and will prioritise on an individual basis (currently things like Universal Credit, Self-Employment worries, rental and mortgage cases are coming in due to Coronavirus) – this may mean your case may not be dealt with as swiftly as would normally be the case.

Please be patient with us. Issues such as bin collections, littering, parking, and Housing should first contact your local councillor. I have had several cases over consumer related matters such as holidays, tickets etc – please contact the venue, company or check with your insurance first.

If I have to cancel surgery appointments:

The last thing I would want is to endanger constituents if I or my team contract Coronavirus. Always check my twitter @JohnCryerMP and my website to check if surgeries have been cancelled. We will try and let you know in advance if this happens.

I was shocked and devastated to learn of a "frenzied" machete attack on a police officer on High Road, Leyton yesterday.

The police do a fantastic job fighting crime and trying to make our neighbourhoods safer in an increasingly difficult climate of rising violent crime and budget cuts. It is therefore awful to see such an egregious attack on an officer just doing his job.

I am bowled over by the courage and reactions of the PC, who managed to use his taser in self defence to halt the attack. It sounds very much as if he saved his own life by doing so. The perpetrator now faces charges of GBH.

I spoke to the Borough Commander, DCS Richard Tucker, this morning, and I understand that the officer is doing alright. I hope he makes a speedy, full recovery and my thoughts are with him and his family, who must have been absolutely horrified when they heard what had happened.

This incident serves as a reminder that members of the emergency services put their lives on the line for us every single day of their working lives.

That is something we should never forget and for which we should be forever grateful.