A Labour MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
Dan Norris, 65, who was last night suspended by the Labour Party, was quizzed by officers on Friday over claims of historic sexual attacks on a girl and a rape allegation from the 2020s.
Avon & Somerset Police also confirmed that the North East Somerset & Hanham MP had been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The force revealed its investigation centres around historic claims made by a girl in the 2000s.
Labour also confirmed Norris was immediately suspended after Southside had been informed of his arrest
PA
Avon & Somerset Police also confirmed that the North East Somerset & Hanham MP had been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office
PA
“A man, aged in his sixties, was arrested on Friday (April 4) on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.
“This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”
Labour also confirmed Norris, who is also seeing out his final days as West of England’s Mayor, was immediately suspended after Southside had been informed of his arrest.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest.
Norris celebrates with his dog Angel after being elected West of England mayor in 2021
PA
“We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
Norris, who is unmarried and an NSPCC-trained child protection officer, was pictured looking glum at the wheel of his car near his West Country home yesterday.
He will now be barred from the parliamentary estate at Westminster under tightened rules around politicians under investigation.
Norris has served as the Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and the Environment and as a Labour Whip, having previously represented Wansdyke in the House of Commons from 1997 to 2010.
Dan Norris, 65, joined other Metro Mayors at No10 after Labour’s victory
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The 65-year-old, who was booted out of the Commons in 2010 after losing to Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg by 4,914 votes, returned to Parliament last July when he defeated the ex-Business Secretary by 5,319 ballots.
After Labour swept to power, Norris joined other Metro Mayors for a sit down meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
He met Starmer again last October at a Council of Nations and Regions.
The Prime Minister also visited Norris at Bristol’s Royal Portbury Dock in Avonmouth following his victory in the West of England mayoral election in 2021.
Speaking at the time, the then-Leader of the Opposition said: “Dan Norris, the newly elected West of England Metro Mayor, has a relentless focus on jobs.
“He’ll support businesses like the Bristol Port Company – they’re investing in young people through apprenticeships.
“Dan will put the people of the West of England at the heart of everything he does.”
