Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury charged with assault after late-night incident
The Runcorn and Helsby MP was suspended from Labour after footage emerged appearing to show him hit a man in the street.
Mike Amesbury has been charged with assault after a video emerged of him appearing to punch a man to the ground in the street.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP, who was suspended from Labour after the footage circulated last month, will appear before magistrates at a later date, police said.
The charge relates to an alleged attack on a 45-year-old man on Main Street in Frodsham, Cheshire, which was reported to officers at 2.48am on Saturday October 26.
I am continuing to co-operate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further
The 55-year-old was summonsed to court to face a charge of section 39 assault after a file was passed to prosecutors on October 29.
Amesbury said he is “continuing to co-operate” with police following the “deeply regrettable” incident.
In a statement on Thursday, he said: “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 co-operate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further.”
Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, Rosemary Ainslie, said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by Cheshire Police, we have authorised a charge of common assault against Mike Amesbury MP, 55.
“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.”
Amesbury was stripped of the Labour whip pending an investigation after footage appeared to show him hitting a man in the street during a late-night altercation.
He now sits as Independent.
In May, MPs voted in favour of a new process enabling colleagues arrested on suspicion of violent offences to be banned from attending Parliament.
Under the new rules, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has set up a risk assessment panel to consider sanctions.
A House of Commons spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual cases.
“The House has an established process, under Standing Order 164, to consider sanctions on Members who have been arrested on suspicion of violent or sexual offences.
“In accordance with that process, Mr Speaker has appointed a risk assessment panel.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “Mike Amesbury MP was suspended by the Labour Party following the announcement of the police investigation.
“We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.”