In brief
The Labour Party has suspended MP Mike Amesbury after video evidence emerged showing him attacking another man in the street, resulting in widespread condemnation and an ongoing police investigation.
A British lawmaker, Mike Amesbury, has been suspended from the Labour Party after footage surfaced over the weekend depicting him physically assaulting a man. The incident, which occurred in Frodsham, northern England, shows Amesbury throwing punches, ultimately knocking the individual down and continuing the assault while he lay on the ground.Two videos, one recorded on a mobile phone and the other via a CCTV camera, capture the event that transpired on Friday night. In the footage, Amesbury can be heard shouting at the victim, “You won’t ever threaten the M.P. again.” The clips have been widely shared across various British media outlets, including the BBC, prompting swift action from party officials.A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that Amesbury, 55, is cooperating with Cheshire police concerning the incident. “As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr. Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party, pending an investigation,” the statement read.Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented on the shocking nature of the footage after a public engagement in Birmingham, emphasizing the prompt action taken against Amesbury in light of the police probe. He stated, “We moved very swiftly to suspend him as a member. There is now a police investigation, and in the circumstances, you will appreciate there’s not much more I can say about that.”The Cheshire Constabulary reported that a 55-year-old man has been voluntarily interviewed regarding the incident and has been released while further inquiries continue. In a statement issued by Amesbury on Saturday, he acknowledged his involvement and claimed he felt threatened during the incident, which occurred after an outing with friends. While he has reported the event to the police and assured his cooperation, Amesbury stated he would refrain from commenting further but intended to continue to serve in Parliament. Megan Specia, a correspondent for The Times, provides comprehensive coverage on topics related to Britain, Ireland, and the Ukraine war from her base in London.
