Mike Amesbury to resign as MP after assault conviction for punching constituent

Disgraced ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury is standing down from Parliament after his conviction for punching a constituent.

The Runcorn & Helsby MP told the BBC on Monday that he will begin the "statutory process" of winding up his office - before resigning as "as soon as possible" - and triggering the first by-election of Sir Keir Starmer's stint in Downing Street.

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

He then spent three nights in jail after his initial sentencing at Chester Magistrates' Court - and has he claimed he "actually picked up some casework in prison."

"Life doesn't stop as an MP," he said.