Labour has suspended MP Mike Amesbury after video appears to show him punching man before telling him: "You won't threaten me again". "

The video appears to show 55-year-old Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, thumping the man following an argument in the early hours of Saturday (26/10) morning in Frodsham, Cheshire.

The MP is then seen whacking the man again while he lies on the floor.

In footage he can be heard saying: "You won't ever threaten me again, will you?" and "you won't threaten your MP ever again, will you?". "

Cheshire Police confirmed officers were investigating reports of an assault in Frodsham in the early hours of Saturday.

Amesbury admitted being involved in an 'incident' in a statement, adding that he'd acted in 'self-defence' after feeling 'threatened'.

A local man who witnessed the footage said: "You've got two-tier Keir putting people in jail and his own MP is knocking constituents unconscious. "

"[Amesbury and his alleged victim] had a heated discussion. "

"[Amesbury] hits him and knocks him unconscious. The fella - he's a big lad as well - has gone straight to the floor. "

"Then [Amesbury] has gone back over to him and hit him on the ground."

"This was at 2:30am. [Amesbury] was drunk. "

"Someone says 'you're the local MP' and [Amesbury] says 'you won't threaten the local MP now'. "

"He's in a public office. What he did there was bang out of order. He's finished."

"He wasn't getting threatened in any way."

A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary said: "At 2.48am 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."

In a statement released on Saturday, Amesbury said: "Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends."

"This morning, I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened during this incident."

"I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police."

"I remain fully committed to working hard for the people of Runcorn and Helsby, and am determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community."