MP punches constituent after winter fuel payment row outside pub
- Mike Amesbury, a Labour MP, was involved in a physical altercation with a constituent named Paul Fellows over winter fuel payments and local issues.
- The incident occurred in Frodsham, England, during the early hours of October 26, 2024.
- As a result of the assault, Amesbury has been suspended from the Labour Party, and calls for his resignation have emerged.
On the early morning of October 26, 2024, an incident unfolded in Frodsham, England, involving Mike Amesbury, the Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, and a local constituent, Paul Fellows. The confrontation reportedly began as a heated discussion regarding cuts to winter fuel payments and the closure of a local bridge. The situation escalated when Amesbury unexpectedly threw a punch, knocking Fellows to the ground and continuing to physically assault him while making a threatening statement about not threatening an MP again. Following the incident, Cheshire Police confirmed they had received reports of the assault and were conducting inquiries. Paul Fellows was treated for injuries to his head and chin after being checked at the hospital. The confrontation, captured on CCTV, quickly garnered media attention and sparked outrage. Amesbury, aged 55, who previously held the position of Shadow Housing Minister, publicly stated he felt threatened prior to the incident. After self-reporting the matter to police, he faced immediate political repercussions. The Labour Party suspended his membership pending an investigation, and criticism poured in from political opponents. Calls for Amesbury's resignation arose from Reform UK, the party that finished second in his constituency during the last local elections. The incident raises significant concerns about conduct and violence among elected officials and its impact on public trust in political figures.