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Police release video update of Deputy Mike Amesbury’s punch

Online Niel October 28, 2024

The Prime Minister also reacted to the footage, which appeared to show the Runcorn MP punching a man several times

14:30, 28 October 2024Updated at 14:30, 28 October 2024

Mike Amesbury has been suspended by the Labor Party after footage emerged of him appearing to punch a man during a night out

Cheshire Police have provided an update on the situation involving Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury after videos emerged at the weekend which appeared to show him punching a man. Mr. Amesbury, who represents Runcorn and Helsby in Parliament, was suspended by the Labor Party amid ongoing investigations into the incident.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a 55-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution in connection with the incident after officers were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham at 2am on Saturday: 48. The force said he has since been released pending further enquiries.

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Today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the footage as “shocking” and defended Labour’s decision to suspend Mr Amesbury. The prime minister said the party had “moved very quickly” to respond after the footage emerged. Mr Amesbury has been suspended from the party and lost the Labor whip on Sunday after a clip was published by MailOnline in which Runcorn and Helsby MPs appear to continue to beat the man on the ground as bystanders shout “Stop”.

Sir Keir sidestepped the question of whether Mr Amesbury should stand down as an MP, but said: “I have seen the footage, it is shocking. We moved very quickly to suspend him as a member and as a Member of Parliament. There is now a police investigation and in the circumstances you will appreciate that I cannot say much about it.”

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Earlier, one of Sir Keir’s most senior ministers said the footage was “very graphic”. The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, told Sky News: “It was suspended by the Labor Party – that also means he is not a Labor MP at the moment while the police investigation takes place. I’ve seen the video, there’s a police investigation, I think it’s important that it runs its course.”

Asked further about the clip, Mr McFadden added: “The video is very graphic, the police will look into that, I’m sure they will take it into account and they have to come to their conclusion.”

The party said on Sunday that the MP – who was part of Labour’s shadow ministerial team from 2018 to 2024 but failed to secure a backbench role after the election – had been suspended.

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

CCTV released on Sunday captured two men standing face to face before the man, believed to be Mr Amesbury, punched the other and further knocked him to the ground. It’s not clear from the video what happened in the moments before.

It comes after various images posted on social media on Saturday appeared to show the MP shouting and pointing at a man lying in the street.

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The man can be heard saying: “You’re never going to threaten me again, are you? You’ll never threaten me again, will you? Mr Amesbury said on Saturday he would “cooperate with any inquiry” but was “determined to remain an open and accessible MP to our community” after the initial footage circulated online.

He said in a statement: “Last night, I was involved in an incident that occurred after I felt threatened in the street following an outing with friends. This morning I personally contacted Cheshire Police to report what happened during the incident. I will make no further public comment but will of course co-operate with any investigation if asked by Cheshire Police.”