MP Mike Ayesbury suspended from Labour party after video surfaces of him 'punching man to ground'

MP Mike Ayesbury has been suspended from the Labour party pending investigation after a video surfaced appearing to show him 'punching a man to the ground'.

The MP for Runcorn and Helsby was caught on phone footage and CCTV becoming involved in the incident outside a taxi rank in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 55-year-old previously issued a statement after a clip shared to social media appeared to show him pointing at a man on the ground beside a taxi rank and saying: "You won't ever threaten me again, will you?"

READ MORE Video surfaces which shows Labour MP Mike Amesbury 'punch man to ground' in taxi rank incident

And new CCTV footage, now released by the Daily Mail, appears to show the MP punching the man before he fell to the ground outside a taxi rank, before continuing to throw multiple other blows at him.

Mr Ayesbury previously said he will cooperate with a police investigation. Cheshire Police confirmed officers were called to reports of an attack in Frodsham at 2.48am and 'enquiries are ongoing'.

In a new statement, the Labour Party confirmed that the MP has been assisting with the ongoing police enquiries, but has also had his membership suspended from the party pending an investigation.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night. As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

On Saturday, Mr Amesbury, 55, 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.

“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.”

This is a breaking story and will be updated.