Wythenshawe-born MP Mike Amesbury has spoken out after pleading guilty to assault, following an attack that was caught on camera in his Cheshire constituency. Chester Magistrates Court heard how the 55-year-old politician punched Paul Fellows, 45, to the ground before hitting him five more times in the early hours of October 26, 2024.
The incident, outside a taxi rank in Frodsham, was caught on camera. Amesbury initially told police he acted in self-defence, but later withdrew that claim, the court heard.
Speaking to reporters outside court, Mr Amesbury described the incident as ‘highly regrettable’. He said: “Of course I’m sincerely sorry to Mr Fellows and his family.”
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Mr Amesbury, wearing a grey suit, white shirt and red tie in the dock, pleaded guilty to the charge of common assault against Mr Fellows. Prosecuting, Alison Storey said the pair had both been drinking before the incident at a taxi rank.
Mr Fellows recognised Mr Amesbury and ‘remonstrated with him about a bridge closure’. The court heard Mr Amesbury responded by saying ‘it’s nothing to do with me’, before stepping towards Mr Fellows and punching him to the face.
MP Mike Amesbury in the footage
Ms Storey said CCTV evidence showed the pair had engaged with each other for ‘several minutes’, and at one point Mr Amesbury could be heard shouting ‘what?’ several times. Footage showed Mr Fellows falling to the ground following the punch, before Mr Amesbury ‘punched him again at least five times’ on the floor, the court heard.
Mr Amesbury was heard to say: “Don’t ever threaten me again… You won’t threaten your MP again will you, you f***** soft lad.” Ms Storey told the court that Mr Amesbury, who is now an independent MP, no longer claims to have acted in self-defence as he initially told police.
Richard Derby, defending, said his client has experienced ‘shame and embarrassment’ following the incident. He also spoke of security threats he has had to deal with – telling the court of panic alarms in Mr Amesbury’s home due to previous threats.
“Rightly or wrongly Mr Amesbury took as some form of threat to himself,” he added. “There was obviously something said which he took umbrage to. The incident is regrettable and it is unfortunate.”
Amesbury, who was previously a Manchester councillor, has been a Cheshire MP since 2017. He currently sits as an independent MP for Runcorn and Helsby, after being suspended by Labour. Amesbury was granted unconditional bail until February 24, when he is due to be sentenced.