MP for Hornsey & Wood Green Lynne Featherstone was criticised for not attending a hustings at a hospital she campaigned to save.

Defend the Whittington Coalition (DWC) held a debate at Islington Council chambers to discuss NHS funding cuts but Ms Featherstone chose not to attend, despite campaigning against the sell-off of hospital buildings.

Organisers ‘empty chaired’ her by leaving a space where she would have been and provided a picture of the MP’s face on a stick as a substitute.

The event was chaired by DWC member Shirley Franklin and attended by Labour candidate for Hornsey & Wood Green Catherine West, Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate Jenny Sutton, Caroline Russell from the Greens and Tory Dr Mark Lim.

Ms Sutton said: “It is no surprise that the Lib Dems are running for cover over the coalition’s record on the NHS.

“There are now 7,000 fewer nurses, doctors and other clinical staff than there were since the last election and private companies have been let loose to feed like vampires at a blood bank.

“Lynne Featherstone is right to hide her shame.”

The hospital is regularly used by people in Crouch End, Hornsey and Wood Green when they become ill.

A spokesman from Ms Featherstone’s office said she was “prioritising events in Haringey”, which is why she was unable to attend.