Iain Duncan Smith MP has hit back at a Labour claim that he is not doing enough to safeguard the future of Whipps Cross Hospital.

This month Barts Health hospitals trust, which runs the Leytonstone hospital, declared a biggest ever end of year deficit of £93million.

Trust chief executive Peter Morris and chief nurse Professor Kay Riley have recently both resigned.

Labour parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, Bilal Mahmood, released an open letter to Mr Duncan Smith, asking what he is doing to save the hospital.

It said: “I write to you to ask what you intend to do to safeguard one of the key hospitals that services local residents in their time of need.

“Given it is where I was born, where many of my family members have healed (and some who have passed), Whipps Cross means a great deal to me, as it does to almost every constituent in Chingford and Woodford Green.

“Without direct and vocal protection, I fear Whipps Cross may not be safe for another five months, let alone five years.”

In response, Mr Duncan Smith said he was meeting the chief executive on Friday and will be asking for more investment in the Leytonstone hospital.

He said: "Whipps Cross is a vital community service, and one which I have defended staunchly since becoming MP in 1992, becoming heavily involved in the campaign to save it a few years ago.

“I am meeting the chief executive of Barts Health on Friday and, as part of our ongoing discussions about the deficit, I will be asking for evidence of progress and, if I need to, I will bring pressure to bear.

“Barts Health's own figures show they have invested £21.4m in the Whipps Cross estate, and I will be asking for further investment."

The results of a Care Quality Commission inspection of the hospital are due out later this year.