MP jailed for 10 weeks after street attack on constituent

Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been jailed for 10 weeks for punching a man following a row in the street during which he told the victim: You won’t threaten your MP again will you?”

- HOLLY EVANS

The Runcorn and Helsby MP, who has been sitting as an independent since he was suspended following his arrest in October last year, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to assaulting 45-year-old Paul Fellows.

His conviction is a fresh headache for Sir Keir Starmer who is currently battling poor approval ratings, with a by-election now likely in the constituency.

The incident occurred in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October, after Amesbury had been out drinking. Upon arriving at a taxi rank, he was approached by Mr Fellows who began to remonstrate about a bridge closure in the town.

Footage showed Amesbury punch Mr Fellows to the head, knocking him to the ground, then follow him onto the road and start to punch him again, at least five times. Members of the public restrained Amesbury and one was heard to say: “You’ll never be MP after tonight, mate.”

The court heard Mr Fellows had an injury to his head and reported a headache, as well as a superficial graze to his elbow. When arrested, Amesbury said he had acted in self-defence and suggested he felt “threatened” and “intimidated”, the court heard.