Labour MP Mike Amesbury faces investigation after video appears to show alleged assault

Mike Amesbury has been stripped of the Labour whip after footage surfaced allegedly showing him punching another man to the ground.

The MP for Runcorn and Helsby has been suspended "pending an investigation" according to the party, following the emergence of the video acquired by Mail Online, which appears to show Mr Amesbury, aged 55, repeatedly striking the other individual as onlookers are heard yelling for him to "stop it".

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

Confirming their involvement, Cheshire Police elucidated that a 55 year old man had been interviewed under caution voluntarily concerning the incident after they received a call about an assault in Frodsham at 2.48am on Saturday. Post-interview, he was released pending further investigations, said the police.

The CCTV made public on Sunday shows two individuals standing opposite each other before the man—alleged to be Mr Amesbury—lands a punch on the other and continues the assault as the victim is down. However, the preceding events before the altercation remain unclear from the footage.

This follows different clips shared on social media on Saturday that seemed to display the MP shouting and gesturing aggressively towards a man lying on the road, stating: "You won’t ever threaten me again, will you? You won’t ever threaten me again will you," he is recorded saying.

Mr Amesbury stated he will "co-operate with any inquiries" but intends to continue being an "open and accessible MP for our community," following the circulation of an initial video. He elaborated in a statement: "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."

Last July, a man aged 56 was found guilty of stalking Mr Amesbury at his constituency office in Frodsham, where it was reported he had peered in through the glass and enquired about their security measures to the guards.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party remarked: "Mike Amesbury has questions to answer about his actions and it is right they are thoroughly investigated."

On X, previously known as Twitter, Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick said: "Labour’s promised to ‘smash the gangs’. Looks like they’re now smashing their constituents instead."

Reform UK called for his resignation so that his seat could undergo a by-election. The party placed second in the last general election in the constituency, gaining 7,662 votes to Mr Amesbury’s 22,358.

A spokesperson for Reform UK commented on the recent controversy involving Mike Amesbury MP, stating: "The new footage of Mike Amesbury MP is damning. No matter what verbal exchanges happened before, it’s never acceptable for anyone to resort to violence to solve a dispute, let alone a sitting Member of Parliament."

They added, "It’s quite clear that the people of Runcorn and Helsby deserve far better than this."

The party has taken a firm stance, with the spokesperson announcing, "Reform UK are today calling for Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held."

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN