Labour parliamentary candidate for Wanstead and Woodford, John Cryer, has defended the council's controversial cut to social housing at two landmark Leytonstone tower blocks.

The authority last year approved a plan to renovate Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers, in Montague Road, by 2022, despite opposition from tenants and campaigners.

Speaking on Saturday at an election hustings event at Wanstead Library, in Spratt Hall Road, Cryer was asked by a member of the audience whether he would support residents of the towers being forced to leave.

He said: “Waltham Forest council has to do this to refurbish the flats and it has no choice.

“I communicate with tenants of the towers extremely regularly.

“I knock on every door of tenants twice a year and I have only found two people who object to the plans.

“If people say they don’t have a problem with the plan then it is difficult to be against it myself.”

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Focus E15 has campaigned against the plan.

The controversial multi-million pound, six-year project saw a demolition notice served earlier this month.

The number of social housing units at the site will be cut from 234 to 160, with new flats sold on the private market to help finance the scheme.

Some tenants and campaigners, including the Focus E15 group, say the the plan poses a financial risk for the council and have been heavily critical of the loss of council housing.

Waltham Forest council insists the project is vital as many tenants live in over-crowded conditions and new homes will be built elsewhere.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Consultation over the Leytonstone towers' refurbishment begins tomorrow.

Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers in Montague Road, Leytonstone.

Jordan Ajayi, a 22-year-old student who lives in Fred Wigg tower, rejected Mr Cryer's claim about the extent of opposition to the plan.

He said: "A lot of people are against plans.

"At a meeting earlier this year there were 30 to 40 people speaking about their anger at being forced out of their homes.

"If John Cryer was there, he would have seen the strength of feeling.

"Many are not complaining because they don't see the point.

"I have met John Cryer before and he is not a bad guy. It is easy to book an appountment to see him.

"I am not surprised he is defending the council as it holds all the power in this case.

"I am not angry with him because it is the council which is making this decision."

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Jordan Ajayi of Fred Wigg tower said he "was not surprised" John Cryer was supporting the council.