FARMING minister Jim Fitzpatrick is having a neurosurgical operation next month on the NHS, which means he misses his weekly advice surgery three days later

FARMING minister Jim Fitzpatrick is having a neurosurgical operation next month.

The Labour MP for Poplar & Canning Town is due to have the op on December 15 on the NHS, which means he has to miss his advice surgery on December 18.

He has suffered got 10 years from trigeminal neuralgia which affects nerves on the face. Doctors have now recommended surgery, which puts him out of action for a few weeks, mostly over the Christmas break.

His staff will look after his Friday surgeries at Trussler Hall in Poplar in his absence.