THE Government was rocked yesterday after a prominent MP and former minister was arrested on child sex and rape claims.
Labour last night named Dan Norris — regularly pictured alongside PM Sir Keir Starmer— and confirmed he had been suspended from the party.
Cops interviewed the 65-year-old North East Somerset and Hanham MP on Friday over claims of historic sexual attacks on a girl and a rape allegation from the 2020s.
He was arrested during a police raid on his constituency home, with officers later seen carrying boxes from the property.
Norris, an NSPCC-trained child protection officer, was also held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
A party spokesman said: “Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest.”
Avon and Somerset Police added: “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 are 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 60s, 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), and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail.”
Norris beat Tory incumbent Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2024 General Election.
He has met Sir Keir several times, and was praised by the Labour leader after becoming West of England mayor in 2021.
Sir Keir said at the time: “Dan will put the people of the West of England at the heart of everything he does.”
Norris was arrested and interviewed at a police station near his rural home between Bath and Bristol.
He was later bailed and was photographed looking downcast at the wheel of his car yesterday.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed it is carrying out a “sensitive” investigation.
Shocked neighbours saw around six police cars arrive on Friday, with the first at 7am.
Officers are said to have initially reassured concerned locals by telling them they were investigating a stolen caravan.
One said yesterday: “It’s rare to see police around these parts.”
MP Norris regularly posts pictures of himself and his pet labrador, Angel, on social media.
He also spoke about protecting children to mark Safer Internet Day on February 11.
He posted: “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.”
Norris was MP for Wansdyke from 1997 to 2010.
During that time, he was the Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and the Environment and a Labour Whip.
Norris has been approached for comment.
