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MP Mike Amesbury has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in a late-night street incident triggered by an argument over a bridge closure.

The Runcorn and Helsby MP admitted to attacking the 45-year-old Paul Fellows in Main Street in Frodsham, Cheshire, when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

The incident happened on 26 October at 2.48am.

The court heard Mr Fellows recognised Amesbury and approached him at a taxi rank to remonstrate about a bridge closure in the town.

CCTV showed the two engaging over a period of several minutes without aggression or raised voices, said prosecutor Alison Storey.

She said: “At one point Mr Fellows started to walk away but was re-engaged by Mr Amesbury.”

The MP was then heard to say the word “what” a few times before shouting it, the court heard.

The prosecutor then told the court that Mr Fellows put his hands in his pockets and turned towards the taxi queue, but when he turned back, Amesbury punched him in the head and knocked him to the ground.

He then followed him onto the road after he fell and started to punch him again, at least five times, she added.

Amesbury was suspended from the Labour Party after footage emerged which appeared to show him punching a man. He now sits in Parliament as an Independent.

At the time, Labour Party 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.”

The MP called the incident “deeply regrettable” and said: “I am continuing to co-operate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further.”

This is a breaking story – more to follow

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