Army veteran MP for South Shropshire undergoes further surgery on historic gunshot injury after complication

South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson has revealed that he required further surgery due to complications that arose during an operation on January 7. 

His further round of surgery required an overnight stay in hospital, and the MP said he has now started a second phase of recovery which will delay his return to Parliament for a "number of weeks beyond initial expectations". 

Mr Anderson joined the army aged 17, and suffered a gunshot wound to the foot during a live firing attack, which shattered his foot, just days before his 18th birthday.

He was initially told that his foot would have to be amputated, but after weeks of surgery and subsequent rehabilitation went better than expected, Mr Anderson returned to active service within a year in Northern Ireland, and before becoming an MP, Mr Anderson completed eight years in the Royal Green Jackets. 

The South Shropshire MP said he wanted to use the opportunity to highlight the ongoing impact that serving in the Armed Forces has on many veterans' daily lives. 

He said he wants to "highlight how complications are a normal part of recovery for veterans" and for South Shropshire to become the "best place" to be a veteran.

Mr Anderson said the region is home to more than 4,000 veterans and said they should be "provided with a gold standard of support". 

The MP is hoping for a phased return to constituency activities in the coming weeks, but will be regularly assessed so he can make a full recovery. 

In the meantime, Mr Anderson said he has tabled 30 written Parliamentary questions since his initial operation, and his team continue to respond to constituent enquiries. 

Stuart Anderson MP said: "I have undergone further surgery to repair my foot. It was shattered as a result of a high velocity gunshot wound that I suffered when I was in the Army at the age of just 17. 

"Although this was some 30 years ago, shrapnel had stayed lodged in my foot - making it increasingly difficult to walk. Further surgery was required due to complications from my original operation, in which I had a toe amputated. 

"While it is frustrating that extra time out of action is required, it shows that recovery can take time and isn’t always straightforward. I am grateful to my family and fellow residents in South Shropshire, who have supported me during this time. I am still active in Parliament and the constituency as I recover, so please get in touch if I can be of any help to you."

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