Britain’s Labour Party has suspended MP Mike Amesbury following the release of footage that appears to show the lawmaker physically assaulting a man in the town of Frodsham, northwest England.
The suspension, announced late Sunday, comes as the party faces mounting questions regarding the incident, which allegedly took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Gulf News reported that the Labour Party confirmed that Amesbury would be suspended “pending an investigation,” with the decision following the publication of a video by Mail Online, purportedly depicting Amesbury involved in a violent altercation.
The video reportedly shows Amesbury, 55, repeatedly striking another man, who eventually falls to the ground as onlookers urge him to stop.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party, which returned to power in Britain in July, commented on the matter, stating, “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following the incident. As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership pending an investigation.”
The suspension marks a significant development for the ruling party as it seeks to uphold standards of conduct among its members.
Cheshire Police have confirmed that a 55-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution in relation to the incident. The police department released a statement saying that officers responded to reports of an assault in Frodsham and that “further inquiries” into the matter are underway. No formal charges have been filed at this stage, and the police have yet to disclose further details of their investigation.
In a personal statement, Amesbury acknowledged his involvement in the incident, describing it as an encounter that began after he “felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends.”
Amesbury stated that he himself contacted Cheshire Police to report the incident and expressed his intent to cooperate fully with any ongoing inquiries. “I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police,” he said.
This incident is not the first time the Labour MP has encountered security concerns. In July last year, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking Amesbury at his constituency office in Frodsham. According to court records, the man was seen repeatedly observing the MP’s office and inquiring about its security measures.
The Labour Party has yet to announce a timeline for its internal investigation, which will likely scrutinize Amesbury’s actions and any potential breach of party standards.
