'Disappointed' but 'not surprised' by result - former MP

DISGRACED former Labour MP Mike Amesbury who quit after punching a constituent said he was “disappointed” but “not surprised” by Reform’s by-election victory in his seat, adding that Labour's backbenchers should urge leaders to “think again” on key issues.

- BY JOSH PENNINGTON

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Amesbury, who was first jailed and later given a suspended prison sentence after admitting the assault in a street in Frodsham, said he had never punched anyone before the incident in October.

The by-election held in his former seat in Runcorn and Helsby was won by Reform by just six votes last week.

Amesbury said he was “really disappointed” by the result but he was “not surprised”.