Labour MP Mike Amesbury breaks cover for first time since punching constituent | UK | News

The MP for Runcorn and Helsby, 55, looked glum as he ventured out to a shopping centre in Yorkshire, where he is believed to be holed up at a relative’s house.

He is thought to have been staying with a family member, around 80 miles from the £685,000 home in Frodsham, Cheshire, he shares with wife Amanda.

He has been suspended from the party and has had the whip withdrawn

It comes after shocking footage emerged of him seeming to point his finger at a man on the ground and say: “You won’t ever threaten me again, will you?”

Mr Amesbury, who is married and has a teenage son, can be seen in a black jacket and blue jeans, cutting a despondent figure with his hands in his coat pockets.

It is the first time he has been seen publicly since he hit the headlines over the weekend.

CCTV footage appears to show Mr Amesbury thumping the man following an argument in the early hours of Saturday morning in Frodsham, Cheshire.

The MP is then seen appearing to whacking the man again while he lies on the floor.

In footage shared to social media, he can be heard saying: “You won’t ever threaten me again, will you?” and “you won’t threaten your MP ever again, will you?”.

Cheshire Police confirmed officers were called to reports of an attack in Frodsham, Cheshire, at 2.48am on Saturday. They said “inquiries were ongoing”.

In a statement, Mr Amesbury said: “I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends.

“I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened.

“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.”

Mr Amesbury, who graduated from the University of Bradford with a degree in community studies, became a councillor in Manchester in 2006.

He was later elected to the party’s policy-making arm, the National Policy Forum (NPF), as well as serving as an adviser to Tameside Council, a director of a housing trust in Manchester and a director of the city’s arts festival.

He worked as a careers adviser and was a senior parliamentary adviser to Angela Rayner when she was shadow education secretary.

And he also became an adviser and stakeholder manager for Andy Burnham during his successful campaign to be Manchester mayor in 2017.

He became an MP that year and was initially seen as a rising star, with Sir Keir Starmer appointing him Labour spokesman for work, pensions and employment from July 2018 and then spokesman for housing and planning in April 2020.

In 2018, his cockapoo dog, Corbyn, won a prize when MPs held a bring-your-dog-to-work day. The pet won the ‘people’s vote’ accolade for best dog in an online vote open to the public.

After his dog was presented with the prize, he revealed his son came up with his name, adding: ‘I always find it entertaining when my wife shouts “Corbyn” when he runs off the lead.’

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