Labour MP Stephen Timms is said to be "in good spirits" in hospital after being stabbed twice in the stomach by a woman at his constituency surgery.
The former treasury minister, 54, was left covered in blood after the attack in Newham, east London, on Friday.
He is in a stable condition in hospital with injuries which are not said to be life-threatening.
A 21-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and is being questioned by police, who also recovered a knife.
It is understood one of the MP’s assistants, Andrew Bazeley, disarmed Mr Timms’ attacker before a security guard restrained her.
One witness at the surgery in Beckton Globe library said she saw East Ham MP Mr Timms being carried into a room wearing a bloodstained shirt.
But while the incident has prompted a security review, MPs are being urged not to reduce their contact with the public.
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: "It can’t happen. No MP could do that – if you cut yourself off from your constituency and your voters, what are you there for?"
He added: "You need to talk to local people. The elected representatives usually live in the community they represent. They have to talk to people, they have to be available to people. People recognise them as they are walking down the street.
"Stephen is very popular and very well-known in the constituency."
Newham Council said it was reviewing security arrangements following the attack.
A spokeswoman said: "Stephen is a popular MP, well-respected by local residents and we wish him a speedy recovery.
"Part of being a political representative is about being accessible and holding surgeries in community locations.
Sword attack
"You cannot vet people who attend such surgeries. We have security at this centre but will review arrangements in light of this incident."
Mr Timms, a former financial secretary to the Treasury, has regularly spoken out against knife crime in his constituency.
In 2000, Liberal Democrat MP Nigel Jones was wounded and his aide Andrew Pennington was stabbed to death in a frenzied sword attack during a constituency surgery at the party’s office in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Mr Jones, a married father-of-three, was conducting his weekly surgery when he received cuts to his hands and arms after fending off blows from Robert Ashman, who was later jailed for manslaughter and attempted murder.
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