SIR KEIR STARMER defended Labour’s decision to suspend Mike Amesbury today, describing video footage of the MP apparently punching a man to the ground as shocking.

The Prime Minister claimed the party had “moved very swiftly” after footage emerged showing the Runcorn & Helsby MP seemingly continuing to hit the man lying on the ground as people nearby shout: “Stop it.”

Sir Keir ducked a question about whether Mr Amesbury should resign as an MP, saying: “There is now a police investigation and, in the circumstances, you will appreciate there’s not much more I can say about that.”

The party said on Sunday that the MP, who was part of Labour’s shadow ministerial team from 2018 to 2024 but failed to secure a front-bench role after the election, had been suspended.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night. As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

Cheshire Police confirmed a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution in relation to the incident after officers were called to reports of a late-night assault in Frodsham.

“He has since been released pending further inquiries,” the force said.

CCTV published on Sunday captured two men standing facing each other before the man thought to be Mr Amesbury punched the other and continued hitting him on the ground.

It is not clear from the video what happened in the moments beforehand.