Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer Labels MP Mike Amesbury CCTV Footage “Shocking”

The prime minister has characterized recently surfaced video footage, which seemingly depicts MP Mike Amesbury punching a man to the ground, as “shocking”. Following the emergence of CCTV and mobile phone footage on Sunday, Mr. Amesbury’s party membership has been suspended, and the Labour whip has been withdrawn from him. Sir Keir Starmer stated that the party had “moved very swiftly” in its response. He further commented, “There is now a police investigation and in the circumstances you’ll appreciate there’s not much more I can say about that.” Cheshire Police reported that a 55-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution concerning the incident and subsequently released as further inquiries proceed. Mr. Amesbury was approached for a statement. On Saturday, the backbench MP posted on his Facebook page, stating: “Last night I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened following an evening out with friends.” He also wrote: “This morning I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened.” He concluded: “I will not be making any further public comment but will of course cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.” Prior to the footage’s release, Cheshire Police had issued a statement indicating they were “called to reports of an assault in Frodsham” at 02:48 BST on Saturday 26 October. The police further stated, “A caller reported he had been assaulted by a man in Main Street. Enquiries are ongoing.” The footage reportedly shows the Runcorn and Helsby MP continuing to strike the man while he is on the street. Another video, shared on X, allegedly depicted Mr. Amesbury shouting and swearing at the individual lying in the street in Frodsham, Cheshire. Within the initial clip, Mr. Amesbury is audible shouting: “You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?” Paul Fellows, who claims he was assaulted by Mr. Amesbury, informed the BBC that he was “getting checked over” in hospital on Monday, having been advised to attend by police. Mr. Fellows reported sustaining bumps on the back of his head and on his chin, but offered no additional specifics. A spokesperson for the Labour Party 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.” A Conservative Party spokesman commented that Mr. Amesbury “has questions to answer about his actions,” further stating that it was “right they are thoroughly investigated.” A spokesperson for Reform UK, whose candidate secured the second position behind Mr. Amesbury in July’s general election, urged his resignation. Maxine Thompson-Curl, director of the One Punch UK charity, recounted to the BBC how her young son, Kristian, passed away in 2011 after being punched in the head. She established the charity in his remembrance and advocates for increased awareness regarding the potentially fatal outcomes of punching individuals. She described Kristian, who was assaulted on his 19th birthday, as a “healthy, happy sport-mad lad.” He succumbed to a “catastrophic brain injury” 10 months following the assault. She expressed an inability to view the CCTV footage of the Frodsham incident. Mr. Amesbury was initially elected to the House of Commons in 2017, representing Weaver Vale. For the most recent election, he was chosen to represent the newly delineated constituency of Runcorn and Helsby. He secured election in the July general election with a majority of 14,696 votes. Previously serving as a shadow housing minister, he currently holds membership on two Commons committees: the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee and the Modernisation Committee. In July 2023, a 56-year-old man received a guilty verdict for stalking and harassing Mr. Amesbury at his constituency office and within the town. The MP, who was born in Manchester, previously worked as a careers adviser and has collaborated with Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham.