The Facts

• A British politician was suspended from the ruling Labour Party after CCTV footage appeared to show him punch a man to the ground over the weekend.

• The footage, first obtained by the Daily Mail, appeared to show Mike Amesbury — the MP for Runcorn and Helsby in Cheshire — strike a man to the head before swinging six more times while the man lay on the street. It took place in the town of Frodsham in the early hours of Saturday.

• Prior to the emergence of the video, Amesbury released a statement later on Saturday stating: "Last night I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening with friends." He added that he reported himself to the police and that he was cooperating with enquiries.