A former police officer in Newham was invited to 10 Downing Street to discuss pressures facing small businesses.

Aaron Henriques, 32, who served six of his 10 years with the Met in the borough, visited the prime minister’s residence on June 7 for a meeting of small business owners.

The meeting, chaired by former Bell Pottinger lobbyist turned special advisor to Theresa May, Jimmy McLoughlin, heard how 600,000 startups open shop each year, but only a fifth survive their first five years.

Aaron, who now runs a call handling business, said: “It was a great opportunity to discuss ways to help small businesses and Jimmy McLoughlin was incredibly receptive to our ideas.

“It’s good to know the government really are aiming to support startups and small businesses, especially with Brexit just around the corner.”

A government analysis leaked earlier this year suggested Brexit will adversely affect the UK in every scenario modelled.