Labour MP Dan Norris has stepped down as chair of an animal welfare charity following his arrest on Friday.
Norris was arrested on 4 April on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.
The MP, who is also mayor of the west of England, was released on bail as police enquiries continue but has been suspended by the Labour Party.
Alongside his parliamentary role, Norris had been chair of the League Against Cruel Sports, but has stepped down with an interim replacement appointed.
A spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports said: “We can confirm Dan Norris MP has stepped down from his role as chair of the League Against Cruel Sports, and an interim chair has been appointed from the board of trustees.
“The charity cannot comment further while an investigation is ongoing.”
Astrid Clifford has been appointed as the charity’s interim chair while Norris remains listed as a trustee on the Charity Commission website.
Arrest and suspension
Norris temporarily left his post at the charity to campaign during the general election last year before being reappointed in July.
He was elected as MP for North East Somerset and Hanham at the general election, beating Conservative candidate Jacob Rees-Mogg.
A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed Norris’s suspension.
“Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest,” they said.
“We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “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 on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, 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.”
Fraud allegations at the charity were investigated by police last year before being dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Former League Against Cruel Sports chief executive Andy Knott previously alleged that the charity’s fundraising had been misleading and that the Labour Party had interfered in its operations including through Norris.
Knott, who resigned in March last year, also filed an employment tribunal claim against the charity.
Related articles
