It is being widely reported that Labour MP Dan Norris has been arrested on suspicion of rape, child sex offences, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. Dan Norris is the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham. Mr Norris defeated Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2024 general election.
The Labour Party have acted swiftly and has announced it has "immediately suspended" Dan Norris 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.
Mr Norris has also served as the Mayor of the West of England since 2021. He is due to step down ahead of May's local elections.
Avon and Somerset Police said in a 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.
"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 arrest and charges will surprise many as Mr Norris was a former child protection officer. He promoted "Safer Internet Day" in February of this year, posting to X:
Today is Safer Internet Day - a chance to focus on the the online safety and wellbeing of children and young people. As a former child protection officer I know how the threats facing young people have changed but the need to keep them safe is ongoing.
-- Dan Norris, February 11th, 2025
https://twitter.com/votedannorris/status/1889325657617830239
