Police issues update over MP Mike Amesbury 'punching' footage

Police investigating allegations that an MP assaulted a man at a taxi rank have issued an update. Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was previously a senior councillor in Manchester, has been suspended from the party after footage emerged online last weekend.

A video appeared to show the Runcorn and Helsby representative allegedly 'punching' a man at a taxi rank. Cheshire Police confirmed a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution in relation to the incident after officers were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham at 2.48am on Saturday.

Mr Amesbury said he will cooperate with the investigation.

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In a statement on Friday, the force said: "Cheshire Police received reports of an assault in Main Street, Frodsham, at 2.48am on Saturday 26 October. An investigation was immediately undertaken, and a 55-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution by police in relation to this incident.

"A file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service on Tuesday 29 October for their consideration and we are awaiting their decision."

CCTV footage released by the Daily Mail on Sunday, appeared to show the MP 'punching a man to the ground'. The footage appears to show Mr Amesbury talking with the other man before knocking him down to the floor with a punch to his head.

The man is knocked over backwards, falling off the curb and landing on the ground in a cobbled section of the road. Witnesses can be seen running over and heard shouting, as the security camera footage appears to show the MP being held back by onlookers.

Sir Keir Starmer swerved a question about whether Mr Amesbury should resign as an MP but said: “I have seen the video footage, it’s shocking. We moved very swiftly to suspend him as a member and as a Member of Parliament.

Mr Amesbury said on Saturday that he felt 'threatened' during the incident but promised to 'co-operate with any inquiries', adding that he was “determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community”. In a statement following the incident, he said: “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 inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.”

Mr Amesbury served as Shadow Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness from 2023. He previously served as Shadow Minister for Employment from 2018 to 2020, Shadow Minister for Housing from 2020 to 2021 and Shadow Minister for Local Government from 2021 to 2022.

He was elected to Manchester council representing Fallowfield Ward in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010 and 2014. He became executive member for culture and leisure from 2008 to 2012 and helped bring the National Football Museum to the city. He stood down following his election to the Commons.