Labour have suspended MP Mike Amesbury following a 3am clash in the street. Mr Amesbury, 55, was seen in a video appearing to hit the man in the face in the early hours of Saturday morning.
As reported by the Mirror, it also appeared to show him hitting the man several times while on the ground. Cheshire Police have launched a probe into the incident and, after fresh footage emerged, Labour suspended the MP for Runcorn and Helsby.
A spokesperson for the party said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their enquiries following an incident on Friday night. As these enquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”
The incident first came to light when mobile phone footage appeared to show the former shadow minister standing over a man who had been laid out on the pavement. The MP for Runcorn and Helsby appeared to be telling him: “You won’t ever threaten me again.”
New CCTV recordings, obtained by the Daily Mail, seem to show the backbencher throwing a punch at the man. It’s not clear, however, what sparked the incident. The pair’s conversation in the lead-up to the punch cannot be made out in the clip.
It goes on to show the man being hit six times. A group of stunned onlookers are shown surrounding Mr Amesbury. One woman could be heard shouting: “You’re like grown men, what are you fighting for.”
An onlooker points out he’s the MP for Runcorn, as Mr Amesbury walks away from the scene. He turns around and approaches the man again, shouting: “Yes I am, and you won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?” When asked if he would be suspended, Labour’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said earlier that it was a “matter for police”.
She said: “Mike Amesbury, who’s the MP in question, has gone forward to the police. He is co-operating with any investigation they would want to take forward. It is a matter for the police and we want to allow them to do that work.” And she added: “I think that’s the right approach. And of course, the police should now act in whatever way they see fit.”
On Sunday morning Labour sources said, before the footage emerged, that the whip has not been withdrawn. Cheshire Police confirmed officers were called to reports of an attack in Frodsham at 2.48am and “enquiries are ongoing”.
Mr Amesbury said in a social media post on Saturday: “Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends. This morning, I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened during the incident.
“I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, co-operate with any enquiries if required by Cheshire Police. I remain fully committed to working hard for the people of Runcorn and Helsby, and am determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community.”
The Mirror have contacted Mr Amesbury for comment.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.