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.”