By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: Dan Norris MP’s election agent has said he is shocked and upset at the MP’s arrest on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
The North East Somerset and Hanham MP was arrested on Friday April 4 on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office. Avon and Somerset Police said most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s but it was also investigating an alleged offence of rape in the 2020s.
Norris has been released on conditional bail. Formerly the MP for Wansdyke, Norris lost the seat to Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg in 2010 but won it back, as North East Somerset and Hanham, 14 years later in last year’s general election. The Labour Party said it had immediately suspended him upon learning of his arrest.
Grant Johnson, a Labour councillor on Bath and North East Somerset Council who was his election agent at the election, said on Sunday: “Yesterday’s announcement in the media of Dan Norris’ arrest and the allegations being made against him have left me shocked and upset.
“I have campaigned with Dan for a number of years and acted as his agent in the recent election, but nothing can compare you for the serious allegations being made against him. The Labour Party has done the right thing in immediately suspending him from the party.
“My thoughts are with all those impacted by this news. I do not intend to comment further as this is an ongoing police investigation.”
Norris is also the West of England Metro Mayor. His time in the role leading the West of England Combined Authority is due to come to an end next month, as the election for the next Metro Mayor is set to take place on Thursday May 1. Under Labour Party policy, he is not standing for reelection due to being an MP.
Staff at the West of England Combined Authority are being offered specialist trauma support. Helen Godwin, the Labour candidate for West of England Metro Mayor, also said she was “shocked and upset” at the allegations against Norris.
She said: “I’m pleased that the Labour Party took the swift action to immediately suspend him from the party. I am thinking about everyone affected by this news and urge people to reach out to relevant organisations if they need support. I cannot comment further than this due to the ongoing police investigation.”
The full list of candidates standing to be elected the next West of England Metro Mayor on May 1 is:
Steve Smith (Conservative)
Arron Banks (Reform UK)
Helen Godwin (Labour)
Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat)
Mary Page (Green)
Ian Scott (Independent)
More from John Wimperis: Trauma support is being made available to staff at the West of England Combined Authority after the Metro Mayor was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
Dan Norris, who has held the role leading the combined authority since 2021, was arrested on Friday April 4 on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office. Avon and Somerset Police said most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s but it was also investigating an alleged offence of rape in the 2020s.
An email to all staff at the West of England Combined Authority seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the senior office team recognised the news was “unsettling and upsetting” and would affect people in different ways. He said “specialist trauma support” would be available from Monday morning.
It said: “We have been in touch with Avon and Somerset Police, who operate a victim-centred service and fully understand how difficult it can be to share sensitive experiences. They have asked us to reassure colleagues that any contact with them will be taken extremely seriously and they are committed to providing specialist support to anyone who reaches out.”
Norris has been released on conditional bail. Since the 2024 General Election, he has also been the Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham alongside being the Metro Mayor. Under Labour Party policy, he is not standing for reelection as Metro Mayor in the upcoming election on Thursday May 1. He was immediately suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest.
The email reads:
“The senior officer team has met following yesterday’s news concerning the Mayor. We fully recognise that this is unsettling and upsetting and that it will affect people in different ways.
“Our priority right now is supporting you — our colleagues.
“If you have been impacted by this news or just want to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact:
“• […] in confidence: […]. Specialist trauma support will be available from Monday morning, via […]. If you would like to access this, please contact […], who will arrange a confidential meeting for you.
“• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — a free and confidential service available 24/7 to all employees and their immediate family members: Helpline/website/code: […]
“We have been in touch with Avon and Somerset Police, who operate a victim-centred service and fully understand how difficult it can be to share sensitive experiences. They have asked us to reassure colleagues that any contact with them will be taken extremely seriously and they are committed to providing specialist support to anyone who reaches out.
“There are several ways to get in touch with the Police: via the online reporting tool, or by calling 101 and asking for Bluestone. The online reporting tool also provides access to the Victim Information Booklet, which may be helpful.
“As we navigate the days ahead, I know that colleagues will continue to treat each other with kindness, care and respect.
“We will be holding a short all-staff call on Monday in that spirit and a calendar invitation will follow.
“Thank you.”
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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