While Alex Ikwechegh, the Aba North & South Federal Constituency Representative at the House of Assembly has apologised for assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya in his Maitama, Abuja residence on Sunday, the UK Labour Party has suspended MP Mike Amesbury after CCTV footage emerged appearing to show him punching a man to the ground.
He has also had the Labour whip withdrawn, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP in Parliament.
When the footage that showed Ikwechegh assaulting Abuwatseya went viral, his party the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Monday, condemned the said assault but they are yet to take any decisive action on him.
In footage obtained by the Daily Mail, the Runcorn and Helsby MP is seen continuing to hit the man as he lies in the street.
Cheshire Police said a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution about the incident and had since been released pending further enquiries.
Amesbury has been contacted for comment.
It comes after a different video, posted on X, purported to show Amesbury shouting and swearing at the man lying in the street in Frodsham, Cheshire.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night.
“As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”
It is not clear what happened in the build-up to the moments caught on film.
In the initial clip, Amesbury shouts: “You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”
In a statement issued before the Daily Mail footage emerged, Cheshire Police said: “At 02:48 BST on Saturday 26 October police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham.
“A caller reported he had been assaulted by a man in Main Street. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Posting on his own Facebook page on Saturday, the 55-year-old backbencher said: “Last night I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened following an evening out with friends.
“This morning I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened.
“I will not be making any further public comment but will of course cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.”
Senior minister Pat McFadden said the CCTV footage was “very graphic,” but he wanted to “let the police do their job and reach a conclusion before I say anything more.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said Amesbury “has questions to answer about his actions”, adding that it was “right they are thoroughly investigated”.
A spokesperson for Reform UK – whose candidate came second behind Amesbury in July’s general election – called for him to resign.
Former Conservative MP Dehenna Davison, whose father died from a single punch, called the CCTV footage “horrendous”.
In a post on X, she said: “The police are investigating and I am sure the full facts will emerge soon.
“I have spent years working with One Punch UK to raise awareness of the dangers a single punch can cause.
“Such violence – whatever the background to the altercation – is never and should never be justified.”
Amesbury has been a Labour MP in Cheshire since 2017 and served as a shadow minister between 2018 and 2024.
In the July general election he won his constituency with a majority of 14,696.
In July 2023, a 56-year-old man was found guilty of stalking and harassing Amesbury at his constituency office and in town.
Ikwechegh in a piece titled “A Statement of Regret and Commitment to Justice” dated October 28, 2024 said:
I, Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, Member of the House of Representatives, wish to address a deeply disturbing incident that occurred at my residence recently. A video has surfaced showing me engaging in unacceptable behavior towards an Uber driver who came to deliver a waybill for me. I am deeply sorry for my actions and acknowledge that they were unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official.
As a public servant, I recognize the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behavior fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry. I understand that my actions have caused harm and embarrassment to the driver, my constituents, and the nation at large.
I want to assure the public that I am fully cooperating with the Nigerian Police investigation into this matter. I support their efforts to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable. I also appreciate the swift condemnation of my actions by my party and the Nigerian Police, demonstrating our collective commitment to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens.
Commitment to Change
I am taking immediate steps to address the underlying issues that led to this incident. I am seeking professional counseling to ensure that such behavior never happens again. Additionally, I will be engaging in community service initiatives focused on promoting respect, empathy, and understanding.
Call to Action
I urge all Nigerians to join me in promoting a culture of respect, tolerance, and understanding. We must work together to build a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Thank you for your understanding, and I hope that you will join me on this journey towards healing and growth.
Sincerely,
Honourable Alex Ikwechegh
Member, House of Representatives
Additional reports from The BBC
