Mike Amesbury: Jailed Cheshire MP faces calls to quit Commons

Mike Amesbury: Jailed Cheshire MP faces calls to quit Commons

Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in jail for assaulting a man on the street, prompting calls for his resignation from the House of Commons. The incident occurred in October, leading to Amesbury being suspended by Labour and sitting as an Independent. Conservative co-chairman Nigel Huddleston urged him to step down, stating that constituents deserve a representative who can effectively advocate for them.

Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf also called for Amesbury’s immediate resignation, emphasizing that the people of Runcorn deserve better than waiting for a recall petition. The altercation, which was captured on social media, involved Amesbury repeatedly punching a 45-year-old man. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram noted that the MP’s behavior was fueled by anger and a lack of emotional control.

Under Parliamentary regulations, a by-election can be initiated if 10% of registered voters in the jailed MP’s constituency sign a petition. However, this process can only commence after all avenues of appeal against the custodial sentence have been exhausted. Amesbury, who secured a sizable victory in the 2020 general election, is now facing the consequences of his actions. The Labour Party swiftly distanced itself from him, asserting that his behavior was “completely unacceptable.

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More