Mike Amesbury MP has been charged with assault (Image: SWNS)

       Mike Amesbury is to appear in court after being charged with assault after a video emerged in which a man appears to be punched to the ground.

       Cheshire Constabulary has said the MP for Runcorn and Helsby will appear before Chester Magistrates' Court on December 30.

       Mr Amesbury, 55, of Frodsham, Cheshire, was suspended from the Labour Party after the footage went viral on social media last month.

       The charge is over an alleged attack on a man, 45, in Main Street, Frodsham, which was reported to officers at 2.48am on October 26.

       Mr Amesbury was summonsed to court to face a charge of section 39 assault after a file was passed to prosecutors on October 29.

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       Mr Amesbury has been suspended from the Labour party and now sits as an Independent MP (Image: Richard Townshend/Parliament/via PA Images)

       He said he is continuing to co-operate with the police after what he described as a "deeply regrettable" incident.

       In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Amesbury said: "I have today been summonsed to court to face a charge of common assault following an incident in Frodsham last month, which was deeply regrettable.

       "I am continuing to co-operate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further."

       Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime division, said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by Cheshire Police, we have authorised a charge of common assault against Mike Amesbury MP, 55.

       "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

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       "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

       Mr Amesbury, who has been an MP since June 2017, was stripped of the Labour whip pending an investigation and now sits as an Independent.

       A spokesperson for the party said: "Mike Amesbury MP was suspended by the Labour Party following the announcement of the police investigation. We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing."

       A House of Commons spokesman said the House does not comment on individual cases, adding: "The House has an established process, under Standing Order 164, to consider sanctions on Members who have been arrested on suspicion of violent or sexual offences.

       "In accordance with that process, Mr Speaker has appointed a risk assessment panel."