Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched a fresh scathing attack on "two-tier" Britain after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury avoided serving his 10-week prison sentence.
The ex-Labour official had his sentence suspended for two years, following an appeal at Chester Crown Court today.
Amesbury had originally been imprisoned for assaulting a man in a late-night brawl in late 2024, and was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, undertake a 12-month alcohol monitoring requirement, attend an anger management course and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work.
Speaking to Reform UK supporters in Hull, Farage hit out at Amesbury's appeal being accepted, and argued that it is because he is part of the "ruling class".
Nigel Farage took aim at former Labour MP Mike Amesbury after his prison sentence was suspended
PA
Farage fumed: "Crime is completely out of control here in Hull. Crime is 25 per cent higher than the national average. People are scared to go out after dark.
"The police force, who seemed to be more concerned about what we say on social media, more concerned than maybe the Labour MP for Runcorn, who at 2 in the morning doesn't just strike someone in the street, but hits him five times on the ground."
Criticising the appeal made by Amesbury, Farage added: "And what happens today at appeal? We're told the prison sentence is to be suspended.
"I guess that's because he's part of the Labour Party and part of the ruling class."
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Mike Amesbury was slapped with a 10-week prison sentence for punching a man in the street in a late-night bust-upPASuggesting that the decision is in line with the apparent "two-tier" system carried out by the Labour Government, Farage told the Hull rally that "different groups of people are being treated differently".
Farage declared: "We saw it after the riots last summer, different groups of people being treated differently.
"That is not what this country is all about."
In a direct attack on "two-tier", Farage stated: "I will not live with two-tier policing and two-tier justice. Everybody must be treated the same."
Farage told Hull supporters that he will 'not live with two-tier policing or two-tier justice'
GB News
The crowd at the rally let out a roaring cheer to Farage's remarks, in support of the Reform UK leader.
Despite suspending Amesbury's sentence, Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett stressed the initial sentence's length was "spot on".
A Reform UK source told GB News that the fight for the constituency by-election is going to be "an uphill battle". They noted that it is "one of Labour's safest seat in the country, but we're going to give it everything".
Amesbury will continue to receive his £91,000 salary under parliamentary rules for the duration of time as a Member of Parliament.
