WELLWISHES continue to pour in for veteran Grimsby Labour MP Austin Mitchell, who is expected to remain in hospital into next week.
He collapsed earlier this week as he was leaving the Houses of Parliament.
The 78-year-old passed out and banged his head on Monday evening.
He is being treated at Kings College Hospital in the capital, where wife Linda expects him to be for "quite some time".
He was expected to undergo open heart surgery on Monday, but following examinations yesterday, it transpired that it wasn't necessary.
"He has a leak in a valve, but it's not as bad as they thought it was, so they have now decided he doesn't need to have the surgery on Monday," said Linda.
Yesterday, he had a defibrillator fitted under local anaesthetic.
"It's what they seem to be using instead of pacemakers these days, it gives out an electric shock if the heart stops," she explained.
She said Austin had managed to start getting up and about and had seen his battered and bruised face for the first time on Thursday.
"He hadn't seen it, he had only heard about it from us. He does look pretty ghastly.
"He went to his bathroom and looked in the mirror and he was absolutely horrified.
"He said when he does get back to the House of Commons, he is going to ask them to turn the cameras off when he is speaking, so at least he is still making jokes."
Today, his political colleagues have been sending their best wishes to the veteran MP.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "I'd like to wish my good friend Austin Mitchell a speedy recovery. He is a great asset to Grimsby, Parliament and the Labour Party and we miss him from the green benches. I look forward to seeing him back soon."
Mayor of North East Lincolnshire and longstanding friend of the MP, Peggy Elliott, said: "It's quite sad that something more serious has been found due to his fall, but it is probably a good thing, as at least now they know what the problem is and they can deal with it.
"He has been a great MP for us for many years. His heart is in North East Lincolnshire and we wish him well."
Her husband Steve, the chairman of the Grimsby Labour party and Austin's last election agent, added: "He has always been a great MP for Grimsby. He has been an independent voice – often controversial – but always defending this area.
"Electors don't realise the amount of work he does for this constituency.
"He is here every week and, when he's not here, he still has his team of three staff working for people.
"We wish him well and hope he is okay and back to work soon."
Conservative MP for Cleethorpes and Immingham, Martin Vickers, added: "I wish him well and hope all goes well for him. I hope he will be back in the harness as soon as possible."
Former Labour MP for Cleethorpes Shona McIsaac said: "I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm sure we will see Austin fit, well and out and about snapping photos in no time at all."
