Labour say they’ll ‘smash gangs’… instead they’re smashing constituents, Tory blasts after MP Mike Amesbury in punch up

LABOUR said they’ll ‘smash gangs” but are smashing constituents instead, a top Tory has blasted after MP Mike Amesbury’s punch up.

Amesbury has had the Labour whip suspended after a video appeared to show him sucker punching a constituent in the street.

Sky News

Mike Amesbury is seen in footage seemingly throwing the first punch[/caption]

Sky News

Amesbury appeared to throw several punches[/caption]

Twitter

Hours before the brawl, Amesbury posed for snaps with the local police commissioner[/caption]

Shocking CCTV footage showed the 55-year-old politician continuing to try to hit the man up to six times while he lays on the ground.

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick told the Mail: “Labour said they’d smash the gangs.

“It looks like they’re smashing their constituents instead.

“There is no way you can remain an MP if you’re beating up constituents after a night out.”

Amesbury claimed he “felt threatened” before the attack at 2.15am on Saturday in his constituency of Runcorn and Helsby, Cheshire.

Hours before the brawl, Amesbury posed for snaps with the local police commissioner.

The MP said he was “listening to residents’ concerns and ideas for policing and community safety”.

Yesterday it was confirmed he has been suspended as a member of the Labour Party.

The move has the automatic effect of suspending the Labour whip in the House of Commons.

Confirming his suspension, A Labour Spokesperson said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night.

“As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick said: “Labour’s promised to ‘smash the gangs’.

“Looks like they’re now smashing their constituents instead.”

Mobile phone video showed Amesbury shouting “you’ll never threaten me again” as the man lay on the ground next to a taxi rank.

Footage showed the MP seemingly throwing the first punch during the incident in Frodsham.

He appears in animated fashion before letting loose the left hook to the man’s head.

The CCTV video also shows the MP – a former member of Sir Keir Starmer‘s Shadow Cabinet – being held back by bystanders.

The first clip emerged the day after Mr Amesbury had posted on X about a meeting with Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner and Frodsham councillors, in relation to policing and community safety.

In the initial footage, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby says: “You won’t ever threaten me again will you?

“You won’t ever threaten me again.”

When someone in the background points out Mr Amesbury is the local MP, he says: “Yes I am. You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”

Cops earlier confirmed they had probed the incident.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “A 55-year-old man has been voluntarily interviewed under caution by police in relation to this incident.

“He has since been released pending further enquiries.”

Mr Amesbury said prior to the release of the punch CCTV today: “Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends.

“This morning, I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened during this incident.

“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.”