Staff supported after mayor and MP rape arrest

Staff who work for West of England mayor Dan Norris are being offered support after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

Mr Norris, who is the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was also questioned on suspicion of child abduction and misconduct in a public office on Friday and has been released on conditional bail.

An email to staff, seen by the BBC, said senior officers had met following the arrest and were in touch with Avon and Somerset Police to offer support to colleagues.

"We fully recognise that this is unsettling and upsetting and that it will affect people in different ways," the email read.

Mr Norris's term as West of England Mayor comes to an end in less than a month when elections are held on 1 May.

He is not standing as a candidate after rules preventing MPs holding second jobs were introduced.

He will not take any significant decisions as mayor before the handover to the election winner.

The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) email goes on to say any contact with the police from staff would be taken seriously.

"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," the email said.

"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.

"As we navigate the days ahead, I know that colleagues will continue to treat each other with kindness, care and respect," it added.

Meanwhile, Mr Norris's election agent said he was shocked and upset by events.

Grant Johnson, a Labour councillor on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: "I have campaigned with Dan for a number of years and acted as his agent in the recent election but nothing can prepare 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."

Mr Norris, 65, was elected in 2024, ousting the Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

The Labour Party said it "immediately suspended" Mr Norris after being made aware of his arrest.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday.

"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," said Avon and Somerset Police.

"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."

The suspension means Mr Norris has also had the party whip suspended, meaning he is not able to sit as a Labour MP in the Commons.

Mr Norris is not expected to attend Parliament while the investigation is ongoing.

Additional reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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