Labour was “right” to suspend MP and West of England mayor Dan Norris following his arrest on suspicion of serious sexual offences, including rape and child sex offences, a government minister has said.
The 65-year-old Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham was suspended from the party on Saturday evening after the party was informed of his arrest. He has also lost the Labour whip, meaning he now sits as an independent in the House of Commons.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday, 4 April, and has since been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries. The allegations involve non-recent child sex offences, reportedly committed in the 2000s, and an alleged rape offence said to have occurred in the 2020s.
Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: “Clearly we’re all shocked and personally saddened by the serious allegations that have been made. It’s right that the Labour Party suspended the whip immediately when police informed the party of Dan Norris’s arrest. But, as the police have said, this is a sensitive investigation and we shouldn’t be commenting further at this stage.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police said: “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 60s, 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), child abduction and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.”
In response to the arrest, 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 has also stepped down as chairman of the animal welfare charity, the League Against Cruel Sports. A spokesman for the organisation confirmed on Saturday evening that he had relinquished his role amid the ongoing investigation.
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Dan Norris returned to Parliament in 2024, securing the newly formed seat of North East Somerset and Hanham after a closely watched contest that saw him defeat Conservative stalwart Jacob Rees-Mogg. He had previously served as MP for Wansdyke between 1997 and 2010, before the seat was abolished. Norris also held ministerial roles during Labour’s previous tenure in government, including a stint as a junior minister under Gordon Brown and as an assistant whip under Tony Blair.
He has served as the West of England metro mayor since 2021 but had already announced his intention to step down ahead of the upcoming local elections in May.
The suspension and unfolding investigation represent a significant blow for Labour, particularly in the wake of its recent electoral success. The party had hoped to focus on delivering its policy agenda without distraction, but the serious nature of the allegations has reignited concerns about safeguarding and vetting procedures for elected officials.
While police investigations continue, pressure is likely to mount on party leadership to ensure transparency and to reassure the public about how such cases are handled within the political system. For now, Labour’s swift decision to suspend Norris has been publicly backed by senior figures, as attention turns to the outcome of what police describe as a sensitive and early-stage inquiry.
