News / Politics
Dan Norris arrested over alleged rape and child sex offences
The Labour MP and metro mayor, Dan Norris, has been suspended from the party after being arrested on suspicion of rape and child sexual offences.
The Daily Mail reported that Norris was taken into custody after police visited his constituency home on Friday, where they were later seen removing boxes from his property.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences committed against a girl.
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“Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s, but we’re also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.
Dan Norris defeated Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2024 general election – photo: Milan Perera
“An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.
“The victim is being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needs.”
The spokesperson continued: “A man, aged in his sixties, was arrested on Friday 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’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue. This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances, allowing our enquiries to continue unhindered.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
Norris, who trained with the NSPCC, previously worked as a child protection officer.
In the 2024 general election, Norris unseated the Tory grandee Jacob Rees-Mogg in the hotly contested seat of North East Somerset and Hanham.
Norris will not be contesting the metro mayor election on May 1 because of new rules banning Labour MPs from having second jobs.
Labour metro mayor candidate Helen Godwin said that she was “shocked and upset by the serious allegations regarding Dan Norris today”.
“I’m pleased that the Labour Party took the swift action to immediately suspend him from the party.
“I am thinking about everyone affected by this news and urge people to reach out to relevant organisations if they need support.
“I cannot comment further than this due to the ongoing police investigation.”
Main photo: Rob Browne
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