Mike Amesbury footage 'very graphic' says Labour grandee

Pat McFadden MP, a cabinet minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, made the comment to a journalist while being interviewed on Sky News on Monday, October 28.

Mike Amesbury lost the Labour whip on Sunday after a clip was published by MailOnline seeming to show the Runcorn and Helsby MP continuing to hit the man lying on the ground as others nearby shout ‘stop it’.

When asked about the footage, Mr McFadden told Sky News: “He’s been suspended by the Labour Party. That also means he’s not a Labour MP at the moment while the police investigation takes place.

“I’ve seen the video, there is a police investigation, I think it’s important that that runs its course.”

Asked whether as a ‘reasonable man’ Mr McFadden found the footage ‘appalling’, he added: “The video is very graphic. The police will look into that.

Pat McFadden is a senior minister in the Labour cabinet (Image: Supplied) “I’m sure they’ll take it into account and they’ve got to reach their conclusion.”

On Sunday, October 27, Labour confirmed Mike Amesbury had been suspended 'pending an investigation' into the incident.

A party 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.”

Cheshire Police confirmed a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution in relation to the incident after officers were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham at 2.48am on Saturday, October 26.

Footage appearing to show Mike Amesbury punching another man to the ground in Frodsham began circulation on social media on Saturday, October 26 (Image: Supplied) “He has since been released pending further inquiries,” the force said.

CCTV published on Sunday captured two men standing facing each other before the man, believed be Mike Amesbury, punched the other and continued hitting him while he was on the ground.

It’s not clear from the video what happened before violence broke out.

It came after different footage posted on social media on Saturday, October 26, appeared to show the MP shouting and pointing his finger at a man lying in the street.

“You won’t ever threaten me again, will you? You won’t ever threaten the MP again, will you,” he can be heard saying.

Conservative shadow health secretary, Victoria Atkins, also appeared on Sky News on Monday, where she described the footage as ‘shocking’ (Image: PA)

Mr Amesbury said on Saturday he will ‘co-operate with any inquiries’, but was ‘determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community’ after the initial footage circulated online.

He said in a statement: “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 the incident.

“I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, co-operate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.”

Conservative shadow health secretary, Victoria Atkins, also appeared on Sky News on Monday, where she described the footage as ‘shocking’. 

She added she was ‘disappointed’ it took some time for Labour to act and suspend Mike Amesbury after the first images emerged on Saturday.

“It took a little bit of time for the Labour Party to act,’ she said.

“That’s disappointing, because obviously the video speaks for itself, but we’ll have to let the police investigate this and for things to run through to their natural conclusion.”

Mr Amesbury was one of Labour’s ‘attack MPs’ in the House of Commons chamber, she said.

She added: “He’d be always up on his feet, supporting ministers and attacking the opposition.

“I suspect they’ll feel his absence in the chamber as well.”

UPDATE: Since this story was first published, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has insisted Labour acted swiftly to suspend the Mr Amesbury after footage emerged of the late-night altercation.

Asked about whether Mr Amesbury should resign as an MP, Sir Keir said: “I have seen the video footage, it’s shocking.

“We moved very swiftly to suspend him as a member and as a Member of Parliament.

“There is now a police investigation and in the circumstances you will appreciate there’s not much more I can say about that.”