By Harry Mottram: The Spectator and The Sun on Sunday 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 have also run the story but with fewer details. In their report they wrote: “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.”
In their report by Mike Hamilton and Kate Ferguson for The Sun on Sunday wrote on their website tonight (Saturday 5th April, 2025): “Cops arrested Norris, 65, MP for Somerset and Hanham, on Friday over claims of historic sexual attacks on a girl and a rape allegation from the 2020s. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed he had also been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.”
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.
The Sun on Sunday reported this statement by the Avon and Somerset Police: “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.
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Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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