Disgraced ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury is standing down from Parliament after his conviction for punching a constituent.
The Runcorn & Helsby MP told the BBC on Monday that he will begin the “statutory process” of winding up his office – before resigning as “as soon as possible” – and triggering the first by-election of Sir Keir Starmer’s stint in Downing Street.
Amesbury was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted to assaulting Paul Fellows in a late-night brawl.
He then spent three nights in jail after his initial sentencing at Chester Magistrates’ Court – and has he claimed he “actually picked up some casework in prison.”
“Life doesn’t stop as an MP,” he said.
Mike Amesbury is standing down from his Runcorn & Helsby seat
PA
Amesbury also said he had been dealing with death threats and a stalker before he punched Fellows – both of which raised his “anxiety levels”.
He said that threats and abuse “make you on edge” – and pointed to the murder of two MPs, Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, in the last decade.
“When someone approached me at ten past two in the morning it was quite natural to be on edge and anxious – and I got it wrong.
“I just saw red – a moment of madness which I will regret for the rest of my life.”
Amesbury has also said he would like to apologise to Fellows in person – but did not do so as his legal proceedings unfolded.
More to follow…
