Police issue an update on MP Mike Amesbury's punch video

The Prime Minister has also responded to the footage, which showed the Runcorn MP punching a man several times

2:30 PM, October 28, 2024Updated October 28, 2024, 2:30 PM

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

Cheshire Police have provided an update on the situation surrounding Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury after videos emerged of him punching a man over the weekend. Mr Amesbury, who represents Runcorn and Helsby in Parliament, has been suspended by the Labor Party due to ongoing investigations into the incident.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution in connection with the incident after officers were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham at 2.48am on Saturday. Police said he had since been released pending further investigation.

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Today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the images as “shocking” and defended Labour’s decision to suspend Mr Amesbury. The Prime Minister said the party had responded “very quickly” after the images emerged. Mr Amesbury was suspended by the party and lost the Labor whip on Sunday after a clip was published by MailOnline showing the Runcorn and Helsby MP apparently continuing to punch the man lying on the ground as people nearby shouted “Stop it”.

Sir Keir dodged whether Mr Amesbury should resign as MP, but said: “I have seen the video footage, it is shocking. We took very swift action to suspend him as a member and as an MP. There is now a police investigation underway and in the circumstances you will understand that I cannot say much more about that.”

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Earlier, one of Sir Keir’s most senior ministers said the images were “very moving”. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden told Sky News: “He has been suspended by the Labor Party – that also means he is not currently a Labor MP while the police investigation takes place. I have seen the video, there is a police investigation, I think it is important that it goes well.”

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

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

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

CCTV footage published on Sunday captured two men facing off before the man, believed to be Mr Amesbury, punched the other and then continued to knock him to the ground. What happened in the preceding moments is not clear from the video.

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

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The man can be heard saying, “You’ll never threaten me again, will you?” You’ll never threaten me again, will you? Mr Amesbury said on Saturday that he “will cooperate with any queries” but that he was “committed to remaining an open and accessible MP for our community” after the first images circulated online.

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