By Harry Mottram: The Spectator and The BBC have reported that the Labour MP for North Somerset and Hanham Dan Norris has been arrested ‘suspicion of rape and child sex offences’ dating back a few years. The BBC’s Damian Grammaticas reported: “The Labour Party has suspended MP Dan Norris after “being informed of his arrest”, a party spokesman has told the BBC. The suspension means Mr Norris, the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, is also understood to have had the party whip suspended, meaning he is not able to sit as Labour MP in the Commons. The Labour party spokesperson said they could not comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
As the outgoing Metro Mayor Dan Norris is well known in the region that covers Bath, Bristol, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire having been a key ally of the PM Kier Starmer and the former MP for Wansdyke. With a new election for the next Metro Mayor (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority) on Thursday 1st May the news will have cast a shadow over Dan Norris’ legacy and career if the charges are proved to be true.
Avon and Somerset Police issued this statement: “In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl. 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. 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.
“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.”
Under Labour Party rules Dan Norris had to stand down as the Metro Mayor as he won the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2014 July election beating the Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The BBC reported that Norris, 65, was elected as the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham in 2024, defeating the Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. He had previously been in Parliament from 1997 to 2010 representing the seat of Wansdyke. The MP was a junior minister under Gordon Brown and was an assistant whip under Tony Blair. Norris has also served as the Mayor of the West of England since 2021 but is due to step down ahead of May’s local elections. According to the West of England Combined Authority website, Norris previously worked as an NSPCC-trained child protection officer.
The Labour Party says it “immediately suspended” the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham after being made aware of his arrest. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday and released on conditional bail.
The arrest casts a shadow over the election of a new Metro Mayor to replace Mr Norris. The candidates are already into their campaigns to garner votes with the accepted wisdom being it is a fight between Labour and the Conservatives. However, the other candidates will all hope to run them close or achieve a surprise victory.
The full list of candidates standing to be elected the next West of England Metro Mayor on May 1 is:
Steve Smith (Conservative)
Arron Banks (Reform UK)
Helen Godwin (Labour)
Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat)
Mary Page (Green)
Ian Scott (Independent)
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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