The Runcorn and Helsby MP said he was “distraught” after the video of him involved in the street row emerged
A video appearing to show the aftermath of an altercation involving the Runcorn and Helsby’s MP is “a matter for the police”, Labour’s education secretary Bridget Phillipson said today. In a widely shared video the Labour MP Mike Amesbury can be heard shouting “you won’t ever threaten me again” while standing over a man lying on the floor.
Mr Amesbury, who has been a Labour MP since 2017, repeats the statement several times before saying “soft f***ing lad” before walking away and being jeered by the group of people surrounding the man on the floor. The alleged incident is believed to have taken place in Frodsham on Friday, October 26, after Mr Amesbury had been out with a group of friends following a meeting about community safety.
Mr Amesbury said he will cooperate with any inquiries after the footage was circulated online. 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.
READ MORE: ‘Credit to the force’ police officer dropped pizza box before punching man 26 timesREAD MORE: Woman who stabbed man to death after he ‘followed her home’ has murder appeal dismissed
“He is cooperating 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.”
On Saturday, 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.”
The ECHO reported yesterday evening that John Roberts, owner of a taxi company in Main Street, Frodsham, claims footage he had seen showed a punch being thrown and a man then lying on the ground. He added the MP had been outside the taxi premises waiting for a taxi when a dispute began.
Mr Roberts told the MEN: “The police have called at the office to ask for the CCTV of the incident. It happened at 2.18am today. The police said it was a high-profile investigation”.
Earlier on Friday, Mr 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 Labour spokesperson said the party was aware of the incident on Saturday and “we understand that (Mr Amesbury) approached Cheshire Police to report what happened this morning himself and that he will cooperate with any inquiries they have.”
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.”
