The Labour Party has suspended its MP Mike Amesbury after a video appeared to show him punching a man, British media reported on Sunday (Oct 27).

Amesbury had been the Labour MP from Runcorn and Helsby. A report by The Guardian said that the incident occurred last Friday (October 25) in Frodsham. 

The party’s decision means that Amesbury, 55, would not be counted as a Labour MP until further notice.

The video of the incident, published by the Mail, appeared to show Amesbury punching the man in the face and knocking him to the ground, before standing over him and aiming six more blows at his head.

The footage also showed Amesbury shouting, “You won’t threaten me again, will you?”

The Guardian report said that the 55-year-old’s suspension from the Labour Party came 24 hours after footage first circulated of the aftermath of the event, which showed him shouting while bystanders expressed shock at what had happened. 

This video showed a bystander pushing Amesbury away.

After the footage of the aftermath of the event circulated, a Labour spokesperson said that Amesbury approached the Cheshire Police to report and that he would cooperate with any enquiries. 

On Sunday morning, Secretary of State For Education Bridget Phillipson said that Amesbury was fully cooperating with the police. 

“He’s gone forward himself to the police, and it is right that the police now look into this matter, investigate and decide what action, if any, is required,” Phillipson added. 

(With inputs from agencies)