Holy crap. I wasn't expecting to write about this today. A Labour MP - and not just any backbencher, but someone who's been photographed numerous times with Keir Starmer - has been arrested for some truly disturbing allegations.
Dan Norris, the 65-year-old MP for Somerset and Hanham, was arrested Friday on suspicion of historic sexual attacks on a girl, a more recent rape allegation from teh 2020s, and misconduct in public office. The whole thing makes my skin crawl, especially considering he's an NSPCC-trained child protection officer. Like... seriously?
From Cabinet Office to Police Station
I remember seeing photos of Norris sitting around the Cabinet Office table with Starmer and Angela Rayner after Labour's victory last summer. He looked so pleased with himself, praising the PM for hosting regional leaders: "The Prime Minister meeting regional mayors is a positive example of the new government hitting the ground running."
Now he's running alright - straight into a police investigation.
My colleague who covers Parliament texted me yesterday: "Everyone walking around in shock. Nobody saw this coming." I believe it. Labour has suspended him immediately, which was teh only possible move.
What the hell happened?
According to Avon and Somerset Police, they received a referral from another force in December about alleged non-recent child sex offences against a girl. Most allegedly occurred in the 2000s, but they're also investigating a rape allegation from the 2020s.
Norris won his seat from Jacob Rees-Mogg in July 2024. Before that, he served as MP for Wansdyke from 1997 to 2010 and was Mayor of the West of England since 2021.
God. Politicians and power.
The "relentless focus" guy
Back in 2021, after Norris was elected West of England Mayor, Starmer visited him at Royal Portbury Dock. They wore matching hard hats, all smiles and chuckles. Starmer praised him afterward: "Dan Norris has a relentless focus on jobs... Dan will put the people of the West of England at the heart of everything he does."
I spent $40 on lunch with a Labour staffer last month who told me Norris was considered "reliable but not exceptional" within the party. Wonder how that assessment's changed.
Behind the public image
Unmarried Norris lives in North-East Somerset with his labrador, Angel. (Poor dog.) He chairs the League Against Cruel Sports and campaigns against bullying and blood sports.
His website highlights his "deep local roots" and commitment to the West Country. It mentions his work as an "NSPCC-trained child protection officer" - which now reads like some sick joke.
A senior Labour source told reporters: "This has sent shockwaves around the party and everyone, particularly those who know Dan, are stunned. But the party has acted very quickly in suspending him and they have to be extremely robust on these issues."
The investigation continues...
Norris was interviewed at a police station near his constituency home before being released on conditional bail. Under new rules implemented last year, he'll be barred from the parliamentary estate while under investigation.
I've covered politics for 11 years now. Every time I think I've seen it all, something like this happens. Listen. The victim deserves justice, whatever that looks like.
Police have asked people not to speculate while their "active and sensitive investigation" continues. Norris declined to comment when approached.
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