Mike Amesbury will serve time for a violent street assault—yet still collects his full MP salary

Disgraced former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been jailed for 10 weeks after a violent assault—but will continue receiving his £91,000 MP salary while behind bars, sparking public outrage and pressure for his resignation.

Amesbury, who represented Runcorn and Helsby, pleaded guilty to assault by beating after he attacked 45-year-old Paul Fellows in a drunken street brawl. The incident occurred in the early hours of 26 October in Frodsham, Cheshire, following an argument about the closure of the Sutton Weaver swing bridge.

CCTV footage captured the shocking moment Amesbury punched Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground. Instead of stopping, the MP continued his assault, striking the defenceless man five more times before horrified bystanders pulled him away. As he was restrained, he snarled: “You won’t threaten your MP again, will you?”

Fellows suffered a lump on his head and a graze on his elbow in what prosecutors called a “persistent assault”.

Despite his conviction, Amesbury will still receive his taxpayer-funded salary, as there is no automatic mechanism to stop MP pay unless they are suspended from the House of Commons. He has, however, been permanently expelled from the Labour Party, which suspended him after his arrest.

Labour has demanded his resignation, saying his constituents “deserve better”. Meanwhile, Reform UK—which finished second in the seat at the last election—has seized the moment, insisting Amesbury must “do the honourable thing and resign immediately”.

If he refuses, his sentence triggers a recall petition, allowing voters to demand a by-election if 10% of constituents sign—but this process is delayed until Amesbury exhausts his appeal options.

Sky News’ Jon Craig warned that Labour faces a serious threat in Runcorn and Helsby. Despite winning by over 14,000 votes in 2024, Reform UK is now leading national polls—and could flip the seat in a by-election.

With growing anger over crime, immigration, and Labour’s economic policies, Sir Keir Starmer could be staring at an embarrassing defeat. The party is already reeling from controversies and internal divisions, making Amesbury’s scandal a fresh headache for the Prime Minister.

Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram handed Amesbury a 10-week sentence, calling it “necessary as a punishment and a deterrent”. The former MP will serve 40% of his term behind bars before being released on licence for 12 months.

His lawyer tried to secure bail moments after Amesbury was led to the cells, arguing he should remain free during his appeal—but the judge refused without hesitation.

Amesbury will now serve his time at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. Unlike many convicted criminals, he arrived at court without a bag of belongings—perhaps not expecting to be jailed that day.

After pleading guilty, he called the attack “highly regrettable”, apologising to Fellows and his family. But for many voters, his regret isn’t enough—they want him out of Parliament for good.

THE GUARDIAN

Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison after admitting to assaulting a man during a drunken altercation in Cheshire. CCTV footage showed Amesbury, 55, punching Paul Fellows to the ground before continuing the attack, reportedly over a dispute about a local bridge closure.

The judge condemned his behaviour, stating that as an MP, he should be a role model, not engaging in violent, unprovoked attacks. Labour swiftly expelled him, stating his constituents “deserved better”, while the Conservatives called for his resignation.

Although Amesbury can remain as an independent MP, a recall petition could trigger a by-election if 10% of local voters sign it. His sentencing has sparked political controversy, with Labour distancing itself and opponents seizing on the scandal. His future in Parliament remains uncertain as he faces the possibility of an appeal or being forced out by public pressure.

THE TIMES

Labour is bracing for a difficult by-election in Runcorn & Helsby after MP Mike Amesbury was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for assault. CCTV footage showed Amesbury, 55, repeatedly punching a constituent in a drunken altercation, leading to his swift expulsion from the party.

The scandal comes at a challenging time for Labour, which has already faced backlash over policy decisions. While Amesbury could remain as an independent MP, a recall petition is expected, likely triggering a by-election. The Conservatives have called for his immediate resignation, seizing the opportunity to challenge Labour in a seat they had hoped to gain.

Labour’s response has been swift, distancing itself from Amesbury while promising voters “a new Labour MP”. However, with public trust shaken, the party faces an uphill battle to retain the constituency in what could become a high-profile political contest.