Mike Amesbury resigns as MP, triggering byelection

Mike Amesbury has resigned as an MP after being given a prison sentence for punching a constituent.

The 55-year-old was suspended by Labour and lost the party whip on 27 October after a clip was published by MailOnline.

His resignation will trigger a byelection in the Runcorn and Helsby seat in Cheshire, which he won with a large majority in July.

Amesbury was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted assaulting Paul Fellows after a night out.

In an interview with the BBC, Amesbury said he regretted the attack “every moment, every day”.

More details soon …