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Dan Norris, a Labour MP and mayor of the West of England, has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences and rape.
The Labour celebration mentioned it had suspended the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham on Saturday after it realized of his arrest.
Avon and Somerset Police mentioned {that a} man in his 60s was arrested on Friday and had since been launched on conditional bail.
The drive mentioned in an announcement: “In December 2024, we acquired a referral from one other police drive referring to alleged non-recent baby intercourse offences having been dedicated in opposition to a woman. Many of the offences are alleged to have occurred within the 2000s however we’re additionally investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.”
The investigation, led by the drive’s rape and critical sexual assault investigation staff, is ongoing and “at an early stage”, the assertion added, in keeping with the Press Affiliation. “The sufferer is being supported and given entry to any specialist assist or help she wants.”
A Labour spokesperson mentioned: “Dan Norris MP was instantly suspended by the Labour celebration upon being knowledgeable of his arrest.”
The celebration mentioned it couldn’t remark additional whereas a police investigation is beneath method. Norris has misplaced the parliamentary whip, in keeping with individuals conversant in the matter.
Norris was first elected to the Home of Commons as MP for Wansdyke, Somerset, in 1997 and served that constituency for 13 years earlier than dropping the seat in 2010. He was appointed as rural affairs minister by Gordon Brown throughout his premiership.
In 2021 he was elected West of England mayor, earlier than returning to Parliament in a redrawn Somerset constituency on the basic election final July.
His arrest was first reported by The Solar on Sunday.
Norris didn’t instantly reply to request for remark.
