Labour MP Mike Amesbury suspended after CCTV of 3am conflict emerges
Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been suspended following a 3am clash in the street.
The 55-year-old was seen in a video appearing to hit the man in the face on Saturday. It also seems to show him hitting the man several times while on the ground. Cheshire Police are looking into the incident.
After fresh footage emerged, a Labour spokesman told The Mirror: “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.”
The Mirror has contacted Mr Amesbury for comment. 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 seemed 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 – although it’s not clear what sparked the incident. The pair’s conversation in the lead-up to the punch cannot be made out in the footage.
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.”
As Mr Amesbury walks away from the scene, an onlooker points out he’s the MP for Runcorn. He turns around and approaches the man again, shouting: “Yes I am, and you won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”
Earlier Labour’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was a “matter for police” when asked if he would be suspended.
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.”
Labour sources said this morning, before the footage emerged, that the whip has not been withdrawn.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 “inquiries are ongoing”.
On Saturday, Mr Amesbury said in a social media post: “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.”
