DISGRACED MP Mike Amesbury walked free today after his 10-week jail sentence for assault was suspended pending appeal.

Mr Amesbury, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, pleaded guilty to assault following an early hours fight with a constituent last year and was jailed, but is appealing his sentence.

Campaigners have said they intend start collecting signatures to force a by-election in the seat. 

Ten per cent of the electorate must sign to force a new poll.

Mr Amesbury was a Labour MP prior to the incident but was suspended and has since left the party. 

But he has not resigned as an MP, despite calls for him to do so.

Labour may fear losing the seat to the hard-right Reform UK, presently surging in the polls despite the government aping some of its policies.