This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8yy0116y8o
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Mike Amesbury: MP's prison term suspended on appeal | Mike Amesbury: MP's prison term suspended on appeal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Mike Amesbury was sent to prison immediately after he was sentenced on Monday | Mike Amesbury was sent to prison immediately after he was sentenced on Monday |
| MP Mike Amesbury, who admitted repeatedly punching a constituent in the street, has had his 10-week prison sentence suspended following an appeal. | MP Mike Amesbury, who admitted repeatedly punching a constituent in the street, has had his 10-week prison sentence suspended following an appeal. |
| The Runcorn and Helsby MP assaulted Paul Fellows, 45, following a row in Frodsham, Cheshire, last year and was jailed by magistrates on Monday. | The Runcorn and Helsby MP assaulted Paul Fellows, 45, following a row in Frodsham, Cheshire, last year and was jailed by magistrates on Monday. |
| Amesbury, who had the Labour whip removed in October, launched an appeal and a judge said that while the length of the sentence had been "spot on", it should be suspended for two years. | Amesbury, who had the Labour whip removed in October, launched an appeal and a judge said that while the length of the sentence had been "spot on", it should be suspended for two years. |
| Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates at Chester Crown Court, also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. | Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates at Chester Crown Court, also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. |
| Mike Amesbury for his appeal hearing wearing handcuffs, having being brought to court from prison | |
| Amesbury must also undertake an alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course, and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work. | |
| His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old MP, who now sits as an independent, at risk of being ousted. | His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old MP, who now sits as an independent, at risk of being ousted. |
| If at least 10% of his constituents back a recall petition, a by-election will take place. | |
| Leaving court, Amesbury refused to answer questions from the waiting media about whether he would resign as an MP. | |
| But he said: "I'd like to reiterate that I sincerely apologise once again to Mr Fellows and his family. | |
| "I'm now going to go and see my family, and go home, and I'll give a statement at a later stage." | |
| CCTV footage captures Mike Amesbury punching constituent Paul Fellows in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October 2024 | |
| Video footage of the assault, which happened near a taxi rank in the early hours of 26 October, which was played in court. | |
| It showed Amesbury punching Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground. | |
| The politician then hit him at least five more times and swore at him. | The politician then hit him at least five more times and swore at him. |
| Amesbury was then heard saying: "You won't threaten your MP again, will you?" | Amesbury was then heard saying: "You won't threaten your MP again, will you?" |
| Judge Everett told Amesbury the facts showed him "in a truly unfavourable light" and, as an MP, he "should be showing an example". | Judge Everett told Amesbury the facts showed him "in a truly unfavourable light" and, as an MP, he "should be showing an example". |
| While acknowledging it would be wrong to sentence him differently because he was an MP, the judge added: "That doesn't mean we can't take into account that your behaviour as an MP was simply disgraceful." | While acknowledging it would be wrong to sentence him differently because he was an MP, the judge added: "That doesn't mean we can't take into account that your behaviour as an MP was simply disgraceful." |
| He said he also could not ignore Amesbury's "heavy drinking and fighting". | He said he also could not ignore Amesbury's "heavy drinking and fighting". |
| 'Pack of lies' | 'Pack of lies' |
| The former Labour politician had arrived at court in a prison van and wore handcuffs as he was led into the building. | |
| The court heard that, in a prepared statement given in a police interview, Amesbury claimed he had been approached by a man "shouting and screaming" about local and national matters. | |
| The MP said that, because he was terrified and the other man's "arms were swinging", he felt he had no option but to "defend" himself. | |
| But the judge told him the CCTV pictures revealed a very different story. | But the judge told him the CCTV pictures revealed a very different story. |
| "In reality, you told the police a pack of lies. Nothing more, nothing less," he said. | "In reality, you told the police a pack of lies. Nothing more, nothing less," he said. |
| Judge Everett questioned why a charge of affray - which can carry a longer sentence - had not been brought by the prosecution. | Judge Everett questioned why a charge of affray - which can carry a longer sentence - had not been brought by the prosecution. |
| Daniel Travers, defending Amesbury, told the court: "He's now had three nights in prison which is an experience he will never forget, certainly." | Daniel Travers, defending Amesbury, told the court: "He's now had three nights in prison which is an experience he will never forget, certainly." |
| He said the "public shaming" and "embarrassment" had had a huge impact on his client. | He said the "public shaming" and "embarrassment" had had a huge impact on his client. |
| "This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate," said Mr Travers. "He will learn a very painful lesson." | "This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate," said Mr Travers. "He will learn a very painful lesson." |
| 'Parliamentary rules' | |
| The confirmation of Amesbury's prison sentence, even though it has now been suspended, could still result in him being ousted from the Commons. | The confirmation of Amesbury's prison sentence, even though it has now been suspended, could still result in him being ousted from the Commons. |
| The long-time Labour politician has been sitting as an independent MP for the last four months, following his suspension by party bosses. | The long-time Labour politician has been sitting as an independent MP for the last four months, following his suspension by party bosses. |
| Under parliamentary rules, if an MP receives a custodial sentence a "recall petition" is triggered. | Under parliamentary rules, if an MP receives a custodial sentence a "recall petition" is triggered. |
| After hearing from Chester Crown Court, the Speaker of the House of Commons will contact the returning officer for Amesbury's Runcorn and Helsby constituency. | After hearing from Chester Crown Court, the Speaker of the House of Commons will contact the returning officer for Amesbury's Runcorn and Helsby constituency. |
| Constituents will then have six weeks to ask for their MP's removal by registering at 10 nominated places. | Constituents will then have six weeks to ask for their MP's removal by registering at 10 nominated places. |
| If at least 10% of them vote to remove Amesbury, a by-election will be called. | If at least 10% of them vote to remove Amesbury, a by-election will be called. |
| It would be the first by-election since Labour came to power following the July 2024 general election. | |
| Having first been elected as a Labour MP in the Cheshire constituency of Weaver Vale in 2017, Amesbury comfortably won the Runcorn and Helsby seat which was created following boundary changes. | |
| He secured 53% of the vote and enjoyed a majority of more than 14,000. | |
| Reform UK beat the Conservatives (16%) into second place. |