Labour MP Mike Amesbury has had the party whip suspended after video appeared to show him “sucker-punching” a male constituent and then hit him repeatedly while he lay on the ground.
Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, allegedly strikes the man who was later berated while lying in the road before a bystander pushes him away, according to CCTV exclusively obtained by MailOnline.
Others nearby shout “stop it” as it emerged the politician has been voluntarily interviewed under caution by police.
It is not clear what happened in the build-up to the moments caught on film.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “A 55-year-old man has been voluntarily interviewed under caution by police in relation to this incident. He has since been released pending further enquiries.”
A Labour Party spokesman said on Sunday: “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.”
Earlier Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the altercation is “a matter for the police”.
Amesbury said he will “co-operate with any inquiries”.
Police confirmed officers were called to reports of an attack in Frodsham at 2.48am and “inquiries are ongoing”.
Asked whether the Labour Party was investigating, Ms Phillipson told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: “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.”
In a video shared on social media, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby appeared to point his finger at the man on the ground and say: “You won’t ever threaten me again, will you?” while someone off-camera shouts at him.
This footage shows MP Mike Amesbury punching a man in the street.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 27, 2024
He has been suspended by the Labour Party following the incident. pic.twitter.com/mOcO87qwa3
On Saturday, Amesbury, 55, 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 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.”
Earlier on Friday, Amesbury had posted on social media about attending a meeting with local residents about policing and community safety.
In July last year, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking the MP at his constituency office in Frodsham, where prosecutors said he was seen staring through the glass and asked guards about their level of security.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Mike Amesbury has questions to answer about his actions and it is right they are thoroughly investigated.”
Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Labour’s promised to ‘smash the gangs’. Looks like they’re now smashing their constituents instead.”
Reform UK called for him to resign so that a by-election could be held in his seat.
The party came second in the constituency at the general election with 7,662 votes to Mr Amesbury’s 22,358.
A Reform spokesman added: “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.
“It’s quite clear that the people of Runcorn and Helsby deserve far better than this.
“Reform UK are today calling for Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held.”
Cheshire Police said: “At 2.48am on October 26, police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham.
“A caller reported he had been assaulted by a man in Main Street. Inquiries are ongoing.”
The Standard contacted Amesbury for further comment.
