Sir Keir Starmer has been given a Reform UK headache as a by-election battle looms after ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury was handed a 10-week prison sentence for his “sucker-punch” attack last year.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram confirmed the Runcorn & Helsby MP would spend two-and-a-half-months behind bars.
Amesbury, 55, last month admitted to attacking 45-year-old constituent Paul Fellowes in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of October 26.
After hitting Fellowes, the Runcorn & Helsby MP said: “You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”
PICTURED: Mike Amesbury arrives at Chester Magistrates’ CourtPAThe Prime Minister labelled the incident “shocking”, adding that Labour had “moved very swiftly to respond”.
However, Reform UK and the Tories are now plotting a by-election battle in a major test for Sir Keir Starmer.
Following the attack, Nigel Farage almost immediately demanded a by-election, with the Tories starting its candidate selection process last week.
Amesbury’s 10-week prison sentence could spark a by-election contest if 10 per cent of constituents sign a petition forcing a poll.
Around five per cent of voters in Runcorn & Helsby have already signed a petition demanding an immediate General Election, with total signatories nationwide exceeding three million.
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf is calling for Amesbury to resign rather than waiting six weeks to complete a recall petition.
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, speaking during the Reform UK Wiltshire conference at The Civic TrowbridgePASpeaking after the sentence was handed out at Chester Magistrates’ Court, Yusuf said: “Today Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison.
“The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place.
“We call on Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held.”
Labour will hope to cling onto Runcorn & Helsby after suffering post-poll blues as a result of a series of controversies, including axing Winter Fuel Payments and slapping inheritance tax on farmers.
Amesbury won his Cheshire seat last July with a majority of 14,696 over Reform UK’s Jason Moorcroft.
Reform UK, who contested the seat in 2019 with different boundaries and as the Brexit Party, tripled its vote share, leapfrogging the Liberal Democrats and Tories.
Labour rushed to condemn Amesbury for his assault after Ikram handed down his sentence.
Sir Keir StarmerGETTYA Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party took swift action following Mike Amesbury’s completely unacceptable actions and he is no longer a Labour MP or a member of the Labour Party.
“It is right that Mr Amesbury pleaded guilty and has now been sentenced.
“Local residents in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency deserved better and we look forward to them getting the representation they deserve in the future with a new Labour MP.”
Handing out the 10-week sentence at Chester Magistrates’ Court, Deputy Senior District Magistrate Ikram highlighted Amesbury’s decision to identify himself as the local MP.
Ikram said: “You were out drunk in the early hours. The attack was unprovoked.
“Being in drink is no excuse and as a Member of Parliament, you could reasonably expect robust challenge from constituents and members of the public.
“You continued the attack whilst the victim was on the ground. This incident may well not have come to an end had the bystander not intervened.
“Your conduct would have had impact on others watching on. You continued to rant as you left. Your reference to being a Member of Parliament in the aftermath brings negative impact to the office you are privileged to hold.
Mike Amesbury was sentenced to 10-weeks after landing several blows
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“Your profile and position of power as a servant of the people ought to be a role model to others. That is something you have to been mindful of in all that you do.”
However, Richard Derby, who defended Amesbury, told the court: “I have been in this game many decades, I have seen a lot I have never represented a person with such an exemplary character as I have today …
“His actions were completely out of character. Whatever the sentence you pass, it is not going to be anywhere near the sentence that will stay with Mr Amesbury or on his life, especially professionally.”
Despite being handed a custodial sentence, Amesbury could run for re-election as an MP losing their seat as a result of a recall petition does not stop them from standing in any resulting by-election.
Candidates are instead only disqualified from standing as an MP if they receive a prison sentence of more than one year.
Six recall petitions have been initiated so far since changes were made under the Recall of MPs Act 2015.
Ex-North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Jr was the only MP to survive the recall petition, with Unionist voters throwing their weight behind the DUP bigwig.
Blackpool South’s 2024 by-election came after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton opted to resign rather than face a recall petition.
Labour romped to victory in the coastal Lancashire constituency with a swing of 26.3 per cent.
The Tories also lost Brecon & Radnorshire in 2019 and Wellingborough in 2023.
Labour pulled off a surprising victory in Peterborough in 2019 after ex-Labour MP Fiona Onasanya was handed a three month sentence for perverting the course of justice.
Starmer’s first major victory after replacing Jeremy Corbyn leader also came in a by-election, with Labour picking up Margaret Ferrier’s former seat of Rutherglen & Hamilton West after the SNP MP lost a recall petition over breaching Covid regulations in 2020.