Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been suspended following a shocking video that allegedly shows him involved in a physical altercation.
The footage, released by the Daily Mail, appears to capture the moment Amesbury confronts a man, punches him, and continues to strike him as he lies on the ground.
This incident has led Labour to withdraw the whip from Amesbury, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP in Parliament.
The CCTV footage, widely circulated online, shows Amesbury—MP for Runcorn and Helsby—engaged in the confrontation on a Cheshire street.
In the video, Amesbury can be heard shouting, “You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”
The footage has sparked outrage and brought intense media scrutiny on Amesbury.
The Labour Party quickly moved to address the situation, issuing a public statement.
A Labour spokesperson stated, “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night.”
The spokesperson added, “The Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr. Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”
The incident itself remains shrouded in mystery, with unclear details about what may have triggered the altercation.
Police involvement was swift, and Cheshire Police later confirmed that a 55-year-old man, believed to be Amesbury, was voluntarily interviewed.
The statement from Cheshire Police added, “At 02:48 BST on Saturday 26 October, police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham.”
The police revealed that the initial call came from a man who claimed he had been assaulted in Main Street.
Following this, Cheshire Police conducted further inquiries, ultimately deciding to release the MP pending additional investigation.
In an attempt to explain his actions, Amesbury took to social media.
On his Facebook page, Amesbury wrote, “Last night I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened following an evening out with friends.”
He added, “I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened.”
Despite this brief explanation, Amesbury declined to provide any further public comments, stating he would fully cooperate with police inquiries if required.
The fallout from this incident has not only rattled the Labour Party but has also prompted reactions from opposing political figures.
Senior Labour minister Pat McFadden described the footage as “very graphic” but refrained from making a definitive statement.
McFadden commented, “I want to let the police do their job and reach a conclusion before I say anything more.”
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has also weighed in on the controversy.
A spokesperson for the Conservatives emphasized, “Amesbury has questions to answer about his actions, and it is right they are thoroughly investigated.”
Further criticism has come from Reform UK, a party that has contested against Amesbury in recent elections.
Their candidate, who finished second behind Amesbury in July, went so far as to call for the MP’s resignation.
One particularly vocal critic is Dehenna Davison, a former Conservative MP who has a tragic connection to violence.
Davison, whose father died from a single punch, spoke out on social media.
She described the footage as “horrendous,” adding, “Such violence—whatever the background to the altercation—is never and should never be justified.”
Davison has also worked extensively with an organization called One Punch UK to spread awareness of the severe impact a single punch can have.
Her statement highlighted the lasting consequences that seemingly minor physical acts can sometimes lead to.
Amesbury’s career until now has been marked by his strong support in Cheshire, where he has served since 2017.
His recent electoral success in July saw him secure a majority of 14,696 votes, an indicator of his popularity.
