Labour has suspended Dan Norris – the MP who ousted Jacob Rees-Mogg in last year's General Election – after being informed of his arrest. It is claimed the 65-year-old North East Somerset and Hanham MP was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.” Avon and Somerset Police said that a man in his sixties was arrested on Friday on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. The force stated: “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’re 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 sixties, was arrested on Friday (April 4) on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), child abduction and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.

“This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”

Mr Norris was an MP from 1997-2010 and represented the seat of Wansdyke. He has also been West of England Mayor since 2021 and is due to step down ahead of May’s local elections.

He served as a junior minister under Gordon Brown and was an assistant whip under Tony Blair.