Mike Amesbury street incident ‘a matter for the police’, says cabinet minister

The minister said the video showing the altercation involving Labor MP Mike Amesbury was a “matter for the police”.

After the footage was posted online, Amesbury said it was “cooperating with any investigations.” seemed to show her criticizing the man who was lying in the road before being pushed away by a bystander.

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Cheshire Police confirmed that officers were called after reports of an attack in Frodsham, near Runcorn, at 2.48am and “inquiries are ongoing”.

Asked whether Labor was investigating, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips program: “Mike Amesbury… turned himself in to the police.

“He cooperates with any investigation they wish to pursue. This is a police matter and we want to let them do their job.”

In a video shared on social media, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby appeared to point his finger at the man lying on the ground and said: “You’re never going to threaten me again, are you?” while someone off camera shouts at him.

On Saturday, Amesbury, 55, said he had been “involved in an incident the night before that occurred after I felt threatened in the street after an evening out with friends.”

He continued in his statement: “I contacted Cheshire Police myself this morning to report what happened during the incident.

“I will not be making any further public comment but will of course cooperate with any investigations where required by Cheshire Police.

“I remain fully committed to working hard on behalf of the people of Runcorn and Helsby and I am determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community.”

On Friday, Amesbury posted on social media about attending a meeting with local residents about policing and community safety.

Last July, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking an MP at his constituency office in Frodsham, where prosecutors say he was seen looking through a window and asking guards about security levels.

A Labor spokesman said the party was aware of Saturday’s incident and “we understand that (Mr Amesbury) has approached Cheshire Police to personally report what happened this morning and that he will cooperate with any inquiries.”

Conservative MP Richard Holden wrote in

Cheshire Police said: “At 2.48am on October 26, police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham.

“Caller reported being attacked by a male on Main Street. The investigation is ongoing.”