Mike Amesbury has said he is cooperating with a police investigation into the incident. Reform UK, which has called on him to resign, would undoubtedly target the seat heavily in the event of a by-election.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the footage is ‘shocking’ (Image: GETTY/Daily Mail)
Video footage which appears to show MP Mike Amesbury punching a man to the ground is “shocking”, Sir Keir Starmer has admitted, as he defended Labour’s decision to suspend him.
The Prime Minister said the party had “moved very swiftly” to respond after the footage emerged.
Mr Amesbury was suspended by the party and lost the Labour whip on Sunday after a clip was published by MailOnline in which the Runcorn and Helsby MP is apparently seen continuing to hit the man lying on the ground as people nearby shout “Stop it”.
Sir Keir sidestepped a question about whether Mr Amesbury should resign as an MP but said: “I have seen the video footage, it’s shocking.
“We moved very swiftly 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 there’s not much more I can say about that.”
In a statement issued after the incident became public, Mr 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, 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 Labour Party spokesperson said yesterday: “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.”
This has the automatic effect of suspending the Labour whip in the House of Commons.
Before the suspension was confirmed, Reform UK called on Mr Amesbury to resign.
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A Reform UK Spokesman said: “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.”
Reform came second to Labour in Runcon and Helsby in July and will doubtless target the seat should Mr Amesbury be forced to quit his seat.
