The political world was rocked this week by the shocking revelation that Labour MP Mike Amesbury has pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of the public. CCTV footage obtained by The Daily Mail shows the moment the MP for Runcorn and Helsby punched his 45-year-old victim in the face, knocking him to the ground. The attack occurred on the streets of Frodsham in Cheshire in the early hours of October 26th last year, after Amesbury had been out drinking with friends.
In the disturbing video, Amesbury can be seen standing over his bloodied victim, striking him several more times while shouting “You won’t threaten me again, will you?” The MP initially claimed he had felt “threatened” and reported himself to police. However, he has now admitted a charge of common assault under Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Suspension and Sentencing
Amesbury’s guilty plea at Chester Magistrates Court has thrown his political career into turmoil. The Labour Party acted swiftly to suspend him and remove the whip as soon as the damning footage emerged. In a statement, Amesbury described the incident as “deeply regrettable” but has so far resisted calls to resign as an MP.
The MP, who also served as a shadow housing minister, will now await sentencing for the vicious assault. If he receives a custodial sentence, even if suspended, it would trigger a recall petition and potentially a by-election in his constituency. Under the Recall of MPs Act 2015, just 10% of constituents need to sign a petition to force a new vote.
Political Pressure Mounts
The assault scandal could not have come at a worse time for Amesbury or the Labour leadership. He was re-elected just last July with a healthy majority of nearly 15,000 votes. Now his Runcorn and Helsby seat, formed from his previous Weaver Vale constituency, looks extremely vulnerable if a by-election is called.
The right-wing Reform Party, which came a distant second in 2024, has wasted no time in circulating campaign leaflets in the constituency in anticipation of a fresh poll. Leader Richard Tice clearly senses an opportunity to pull off an upset by unseating the disgraced Labour MP in this Brexit-voting seat.
This is a test of Keir Starmer’s leadership. He must demand Amesbury’s immediate resignation and let the voters of Runcorn decide if they want a convicted criminal as their MP.
Richard Tice, Reform Party Leader
Recall and Misconduct Rules
The laws around MP misconduct and recall petitions are still relatively new, having only been introduced in the wake of the expenses scandal. A recall is automatically triggered if an MP is convicted of providing false or misleading expenses claims. For other offences like Amesbury’s assault charge, a custodial sentence or Commons suspension is required.
While expelled from Labour, Amesbury remains an MP and is entitled to continue collecting his £84,144 salary as an independent. He is one of eight current Labour MPs sitting as independents after losing the whip – in most cases for rebelling against the government. However, none of those cases involve the criminal conduct admitted by Amesbury.
Calls for Resignation Grow
With each passing day, the clamour for Amesbury’s resignation is growing louder. Commentators from across the political spectrum argue that his position is untenable and staying on would bring Parliament into disrepute. Even natural allies in the Labour movement appear unwilling to defend his actions.
Mike Amesbury’s behaviour is utterly unacceptable for an elected representative. We cannot have double standards. There is no option but for him to resign immediately as an MP. The people of Runcorn and Helsby deserve better.
Senior Labour MP, speaking anonymously
Amesbury has so far stayed tight-lipped beyond his admission of guilt. But with sentencing fast approaching, many believe it is only a matter of time before he bows to the inevitable. The assault scandal marks a new low for trust in politicians, and has once again exposed the gaps in the system for dealing with MP misconduct.
As the people of Runcorn and Helsby potentially prepare to head back to the polls, all eyes will be on the sentence handed down to their humiliated MP. Only then will Amesbury’s fate, and that of his once-safe Labour seat, finally become clear. The constituency is poised for a by-election battle that could send shockwaves through Labour and beyond.
