Richard Tice blasts Mike Amesbury for hypocritical comments on ‘thugs and criminals’ amid punching scandal
Reform UK MP Richard Tice has pointed out a hypocritical comment by the recently suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury about “thugs and criminals”.
It comes after CCTV footage was released of the MP for Runcorn and Helsby repeatedly punching a man who had fallen to the floor.
Back in August, as protests and riots were spreading across the UK in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings, Amesbury reposted an announcement from the Home Office displaying prison sentences for rioters.
The Home Office stated that if a person engaged in “violent protests” they could face up to ten years in prison for “rioting” and up to five years for “violent disorder”.
This has not aged well…..
If @MikeAmesburyMP has any integrity he will suspend himself from Labour & or resign……
Will two tier Keir defend or suspend him? pic.twitter.com/6pvzXs37Cd
— Richard Tice MP 🇬🇧 (@TiceRichard) October 27, 2024
Amesbury, 55, reposted the statement stating: “For the thugs and criminals, see what to expect below.”
Following the recent release of the video footage showing Amesbury acting violently towards an individual, Tice said on X: “This has not aged well…..
“If @MikeAmesburyMP has any integrity he will suspend himself from Labour & or resign……
“Will two tier Keir defend or suspend him?”
The former director of public prosecutions was scathing about the riots over the summer describing them as “intolerable” and vowed to do “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice”.
He also led a debate on retail workers being assaulted in 2020 saying: “Anyone who is assaulted deserves to be protected by the law…
“What is more, despite ample evidence, some cases are not being prosecuted, even when there is clear video footage of an assault.”
Amesbury has faced calls to resign after the Labour Party suspended his membership of the party “pending an investigation.”
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Reform UK have called for Amesbury to do the “honourable thing and resign immediately” so a by-election can be held.
The party, led by Nigel Farage, said: “We must expect high standards in office from our elected officials.
“It’s quite clear that the people of Runcorn and Helsby deserve far better than this.
“Reform UK are today calling for Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held.”
Following the incident, Amesbury released a statement stating that he “felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends”.
Amesbury has been an MP since 2017, first for Weaver Vale and then Runcorn and Helsby since July’s general election.