Taxi rank owner speaks out after Labour MP Mike Amesbury caught on camera 'punching man to the ground' in street

The owner of a taxi rank that caught CCTV footage appearing to show a Labour MP 'punching a man to the ground' has spoken out as police investigate the incident that erupted in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mike Amesbury, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, 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?"

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.

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

The incident took place on Main Street in Fordham which is populated by a row of local pubs, restaurants, wineries and a convenience store.

The 55-year-old Labour MP has 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 that 'enquiries are ongoing'.

The new footage released on Sunday (October 27) appears to show Amesbury in conversation 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 kerb and landing on the ground in a cobbled section of the road.

John Roberts, the owner of the taxi company on Main Street, reiterated how the footage he had seen showed a punch being thrown and a man then lying on the ground.

He added the MP had been outside the taxi premises waiting for a taxi when a dispute began. Mr Roberts said: "The police have called at the office to ask for the CCTV of the incident. It happened at 2.18am today... The police said it was a high-profile investigation".

In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Mr Amesbury said he was acting in self defence after being threatened. Cheshire Police have started an inquiry.

And on Sunday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky that Mr Amesbury was 'co-operating with the investigation' and that the incident was now 'a matter for the police'.

However residents of Mr Amesbury's constituency in Runcorn have since expressed their shock after the first video surfaced online.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News regarding the incident one business owner said: “He’s an MP. He says he was protecting himself but you’re an MP. You have to react a different way."

Another member of the public added: "You can’t just go around speaking like that. He’s an MP, he’s not just representing himself. He’s representing groups of people.”

While another shocked member of the public said: “I’ve never seen or heard about anything like that happening here. This is a quiet place, lots of care homes. This doesn’t happen around here.”

A police investigation has been launched following the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning. Footage of the aftermath of the incident circulating on social media appears to show a man lying on the ground and Mr Amesbury standing over him, pointing his finger.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr Amesbury 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 this incident. I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, cooperate 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.”

A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: “We are aware of an incident that took place last night involving Mike Amesbury MP. We understand that Mr Amesbury approached Cheshire Police to report what happened this morning himself, and that he will cooperate with any inquiries they have.”