Police are investigating following an incident involving Labour MP Mike Amesbury that was partially recorded by a taxi rank in the early hours of this morning (October 26) and posted on social media.
A video posted on X shows what appears to be a man lying on the ground and Mr Amesbury standing over him, pointing his finger at him.
The man is then heard to say, “You won’t threaten your MP again”, before leaning in closer and adding: “You won’t ever threaten your MP ever again, will you?”
The incident was just hours after the Labour MP for Runcorn had attended a local community safety meeting with police, councillors and the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner.
Mr Amesbury, who has been the MP for the area since 2017, has since said in a statement that he was acting in self-defence after receiving a threat.
He said: “This morning, I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened during this incident. I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.
“I remain fully committed to working hard for the people of Runcorn and Helsby, and am determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community.”
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: “We are aware of an incident that took place last night involving Mike Amesbury MP. We understand that Mr Amesbury approached Cheshire Police to report what happened this morning himself, and that he will cooperate with any inquiries they have.”
In the clip, the man who appears to be Mr Amesbury can be seen walking away as a man then points out that he is: “The MP Of Runcorn.”
The man is then seen returning and seemingly confirming he is the MP, adding: “Yes I am, yes I am, and you won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?” He repeats it a number of times, before leaving.
John Roberts, owner of a taxi company in Main Street, Frodsham, told the Manchester Evening News that the MP had been outside the taxi premises waiting for a taxi when a dispute began.
Mr Roberts said: “The police have called at the office to ask for the CCTV of the incident. It happened at 2.18am today… The police said it was a high-profile investigation”.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “At 2.48am on Saturday 26 October, police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham. A caller reported he had been assaulted by a man in Main Street. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Mr Amesbury had posted on X on Friday images of himself attending a meeting with the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price, and local Frodsham Labour councillors in the town to listen to residents concerns regarding policing and community safety.