Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has announced his resignation from parliament following a suspended 10-week prison sentence for assaulting a constituent. He expressed deep regret over the incident and indicated that he would have preferred to remain in his role if given a lighter punishment. His resignation will trigger a by-election, marking a significant moment for Keir Starmer's Labour government. Despite his conviction, Amesbury defended his ability to continue serving constituents and noted he managed some casework while in prison, highlighting the complexities of his political responsibilities.
Amesbury admitted he 'regrets' attacking Mr Fellows 'every moment, every day', but would have considered staying in Parliament if sentence was lighter.
Under parliamentary rules, a custodial sentence triggers a recall petition; if 10% of the constituents voted for it, a by-election would be called.
Amesbury described the fallout from his court case as 'difficult', stating he 'owns' his mistake while continuing to work for his constituents.
Despite his recent controversies, Amesbury emphasized that he picked up casework even in prison, indicating the relentless nature of his role as an MP.
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