MP Mike Amesbury, 55, charged with assault after alleged attack on man

by · Mail Online

Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been summonsed to court to face an assault charge over a late night 'sucker punch' in his constituency.

The 55-year-old was suspended from his role as MP for Runcorn and Helsby after MailOnline revealed CCTV footage of the fracas in the early hours of Saturday October 26 in Frodsham, Cheshire.

Images showed the politician laying into Paul Fellows, 45, after the pair had been rowing in the taxi queue over Labour's winter fuel payment plans and the closure of the Sutton Weaver swing bridge.

The date and venue of the backbencher's first magistrates court appearance has not yet been confirmed.

Mr Amesbury said in a statement: 'I have today been summonsed to court to face a charge of common assault following an incident in Frodsham last month, which was deeply regrettable.

'I am continuing to cooperate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further.' 

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said the charge follows reports of an assault on Main Street in the Cheshire town. 

Mike Amesbury, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has been summonsed to court to face assault charges over a late night 'sucker punch' in his constituency
CCTV footage said to show the politician talking to Paul Fellows, 42, in the early hours of Saturday October 26 in Frodsham, Cheshire 
Paul Fellows (pictured leaving his home on October 29 carrying an overnight bag) said he had spoken to police after being punched to the ground by Labour MP Mike Amesbury

Cheshire Police said: 'Mike Amesbury MP, of Frodsham, Cheshire, has been summonsed to court to face the charge of section 39 assault.

'The 55-year-old is set to appear in magistrates court at a later date.

'The charge relates to reports of an assault on a 45-year-old man on Main Street, Frodsham, which was reported to police at 2.48am on Saturday 26 October.'

Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime Division, added: 'Following a review of the evidence provided by Cheshire Police, we have authorised a charge of common assault against Mike Amesbury MP, 55.

'The charge follows an alleged assault in Frodsham, Cheshire, on Saturday, 26 October 2024.

'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' 

Mr Amesbury released a statement the day after the incident, saying: 'Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends.

Mike Amesbury MP seen out in Yorkshire after being suspended by the Labour Party

'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, 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.' 

Ever since the incident, Mr Amesbury has been sitting as an independent MP. 

He currently sits on parliament’s housing and local government committee and was a shadow minister for housing and local government on Keir Starmer’s frontbench until the election. 

In July last year, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking Mr Amesbury at his constituency office.

Prosecutors said he was seen staring through the glass and asked guards about their level of security.