Labour MP Dan Norris arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

A Labour MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

Dan Norris, a former minister and the serving MP for North East Somerset, was arrested and taken into custody after police raided his constituency home on Friday.

Mr Norris, who previously worked as a teacher and child protection officer, has been immediately suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the police investigation.

A party spokesman confirmed his arrest on Saturday night, saying: “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.”

Mr Norris is currently the Mayor of the West of England as well as an MP.

He won the seat from Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, at the general election in July by more than 5,000 votes.
‘Active and sensitive investigation’

Avon and Somerset Police said it was investigating a series of allegations against a man in his sixties.

It said “most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s” but added that it was also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.

A spokesman 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 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 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.”

This is likely to cause a headache for Sir Keir Starmer and his team as they attempt to negotiate a trade deal with the White House amid a spiralling global tariff war.