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Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury Jailed for Assault, By-Election Possible in Runcorn and Helsby
Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for assaulting a man in his constituency, raising the possibility of a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.
Amesbury, who now serves as an independent MP after being suspended by the Labour Party, pleaded guilty to assault by beating last month. The incident occurred on October 26 in Frodsham, Cheshire, when Amesbury attacked local resident Paul Fellows following an argument over a bridge closure. CCTV footage showed Amesbury continuing to hit Fellows after he fell to the ground, while reportedly shouting, “You won’t threaten your MP again, will you?”
Sentenced on Monday, Amesbury was denied bail and taken directly to HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram stated that a prison sentence was necessary to serve as both punishment and deterrent. “Your position ought to be as a role model to others,” Ikram told Amesbury.
Amesbury, who was first elected as MP in 2017, now faces the potential loss of his seat. A by-election will be triggered if he resigns or if more than 10% of local constituents sign a recall petition.
The Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned Amesbury’s actions, calling them “completely unacceptable.” A spokesperson stated, “Local residents in Runcorn and Helsby deserve better and we look forward to them getting the representation they deserve with a new Labour MP.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK, which finished second in the constituency during July’s national election, sees an opportunity for political gains. Party chairman Zia Yusuf called on Amesbury to resign immediately, stating, “The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place.”
The situation now hinges on Amesbury’s next move, with political parties preparing for a potential contest that could reshape the constituency’s representation.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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