Dan Norris, the independent MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, has been arrested for a second time on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, voyeurism and upskirting. The former Labour minister, 66, has denied the allegations, saying in a statement: “I vigorously and entirely deny the serious allegations made against me. They are untrue. I am challenging them through my legal representatives.”
Norris was originally arrested in April 2025 as part of an Avon and Somerset Police investigation into a man in his 60s, which began in December 2024. The initial arrest was on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in public office. Labour suspended Norris last year following that arrest. He has not been named by police and remains on conditional bail.
The force has now confirmed further arrests on suspicion of raping a woman, sexually assaulting another woman, and voyeurism and upskirting against a number of women. A police spokesperson said: “We are no longer actively investigating any sexual offences against children, but the original rape and misconduct in a public office investigation is continuing. All offences are alleged to have occurred between the 2000s and 2020s.”
In response to the new allegations, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “These new allegations are deeply concerning, and any person found guilty of such abhorrent crimes must face the full force of the law. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
Norris defeated Jacob Rees-Mogg at the 2024 general election and served as directly elected mayor of the West of England from 2021 to 2025. He was previously the MP for Wansdyke from 1997 to 2010 and held ministerial roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Following his initial arrest, he stepped down as chair of the animal welfare charity League Against Cruel Sports.
