MP Emily Too Busy for Knife Debate?

2.45.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jun 2008

Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry failed to attend an emergency House of Commons Debate about knife crime. Despite high-profile stabbings in Islington in which young people have lost their lives, Emily Thornberry has failed to make the issue a priority and did not attend the emergency debate in Parliament on Thursday.

Councillor Terry Stacy, Islington's Liberal Democrat community safety chief, commented:

"After the recent deaths of several young men in Islington Emily Thornberry MP should have this issue at the very top of her agenda.

"In the Council the Liberal Democrats are doing everything we can to help tackle knife crime. We bought search wands for all of Islington's safer neighbourhood police teams, and we're pursuing legal action against retailers who sold knives to youths during a test purchase. But we expect support on these priorities from our MPs too.

"We need an MP who will listen to the concerns of local people. People in Islington are worried about the knives on our streets, and Emily should be representing those concerns on the floor of the House of Commons."

According to TheyWorkForYou.com, Emily Thornberry:

• Has spoken in 13 debates in the last year - below average amongst MPs.

• Has received answers to 4 written questions in the last year - below average amongst MPs.

• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a low number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2007, according to constituents.

• Has voted in 66% of votes in parliament - below average amongst MPs.