'Unacceptable' that punch MP will receive salary in jail

Home secretary agrees former Labour man should forfeit pay

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Yvette Cooper has supported critics who say a former Labour MP who was jailed for punching a constituent should be stripped of his pay while behind bars.

The home secretary agreed it is “unacceptable” that under parliamentary rules, Runcorn and Helsby MP Mike Amesbury will continue to receive his full £91,000 salary during his 10week imprisonment for assault.

Asked by the BBC’s Emma Barnett: “Can you believe he is on full pay?” Ms Cooper replied: “Everything that has happened is unacceptable here. It is why the Labour Party took action immediately to stop him being a Labour MP and stop him being in the Labour Party.”

Ms Cooper again commented on Amesbury’s pay when pressed about the issue on the Today programme. Ms Barnett said: “He’s an MP, and I know you just said that is unacceptable.” Ms Cooper replied: “Yes, the exchange follows the disclosure that Commons rules mean an MP who is jailed does not automatically lose their pay.”

“I think the Runcorn constituents deserve better and we want to see a new MP in place as swiftly as possible,” she added.