A Labour MP has been apprehended on allegations of rape and offences against children.
A representative for the Labour Party stated, “Upon notification of his arrest, Dan Norris MP was promptly suspended from the Labour Party.
We are unable to offer further comments as the police investigation is still active.” Avon and Somerset Police disclosed that a man in his 60s was detained on Friday under suspicion of various sexual offences involving a young girl, including rape, child abduction, and misconduct in public office.
Since 2021, Mr Norris has served as the mayor of the West of England and secured a victory over Jacob Rees-Mogg in the newly established constituency of North East Somerset in the previous year’s general election.
Mr Norris, aged 65, had earlier represented the now-dissolved constituency of Wansdyke in Parliament from 1997 to 2010. He has also been stripped of his party whip in the House of Commons.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police commented: In December 2024, we were approached by another police force concerning alleged historical child sex offences against a girl.
The majority of these offences are claimed to have taken place in the 2000s, with an additional accusation of rape dating from the 2020s under investigation.
The inquiry, led by Operation Bluestone—our dedicated team for investigating rape and serious sexual assaults—is in its initial stages.
The victim is receiving ongoing support and access to any necessary specialist assistance. A man in his sixties was arrested this Friday [4 April] on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), child abduction, and misconduct in a public office.
He has been released on conditional bail as the enquiries proceed. Given the active and delicate nature of this investigation, we respectfully request that the public refrains from speculation to allow our enquiries to continue without interference.
