Former Labour MP Dan Norris is facing growing calls to resign from his West Country seat, after he was arrested for a second time on suspicion of a string of sex offences.
Mr Norris was suspended from the party in April last year and had the Labour whip removed after his initial arrest on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office. He continued to represent his seat as an independent MP.
This week, he was further arrested on suspicion of rape against a second woman, sexual assault against a third woman, and voyeurism and upskirting in relation to a number of women.
Mr Norris, 66, who defeated the former Tory minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg at the last election, has denied the allegations. On Monday, he said 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.”
The news of his latest arrest has heightened the pressure on Mr Norris to step down as an MP, with a petition launched in his North East Somerset and Hanham constituency last September now showing in excess of 3,000 signatures.
The organiser of the petition claims that Mr Norris cannot effectively represent his constituency in parliament while he is under police investigation. Despite not entering the House of Commons, Mr Norris has continued to vote by proxy, including taking part in a vote on youth unemployment only last week.
Mr Norris responded to the petition in December, stating that he would “continue to represent my constituents on a broad range of issues” by handling casework and policy queries, as well as asking parliamentary questions and voting.
The Independent has approached Mr Norris for comment on the petition following his latest arrest.
Avon and Somerset Police, who have not named Mr Norris in their latest statement, said they began investigating a man in his sixties in December 2024.
The force said all offences are alleged to have occurred since the year 2000. In an update this week, a spokesperson for the force said it is no longer actively investigating sexual offences against children, but that the original investigation into allegations of rape and misconduct in a public office was continuing. They said that the man being investigated remains on conditional bail.
The spokesperson added: “Investigations into sexual offences are sensitive and complex, and as a result, it can take a significant amount of time for enquiries to be completed. We are keeping victims updated on any developments, and we will continue to give access to any support they may need.”
Mr Norris is well known among political circles in the West Country. He served as the directly elected mayor of the West of England from 2021 to 2025. Previously, he was in parliament from 1997 to 2010, representing the seat of Wansdyke, which covers much of the seat he now serves.
The current mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, said she could not comment on the ongoing police investigation, but added: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s deeply upsetting further news.
“After a weekend of awful revelations in the Epstein papers, these latest allegations are a reminder that everyone – and in particular those in positions of power – must be robustly held to account where any offences are proven.”
