A LABOUR MP has been suspended from the party after being arrested on suspicion of rape and child sexual offences.
Dan Norris, MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was arrested on Friday over claims of historic sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.
He was released on conditional bail while enquiries are ongoing.
In a statement on Saturday, the force 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 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), 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’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”
The Labour Party confirmed Norris was immediately suspended after being informed of his arrest, automatically revoking his party whip in the House of Commons.
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 was elected to the new North East Somerset and Hanham seat in last year's General Election, defeating Jacob Rees-Mogg by 5319 votes.
Prior to this, he was in Parliament from 1997 to 2010 representing the seat of Wansdyke.
Norris, whose arrest was first reported by the Sun on Sunday and Mail on Sunday, has also been West of England mayor since 2021 but is due to step down ahead of May’s local elections.
He served as a junior minister under Gordon Brown and was an assistant whip under Tony Blair.
