NORTH East Somerset and Hanham MP Dan Norris is facing new allegations of sexual offences.
Avon & Somerset police initially arrested the 66-year-old politician in April last year on suspicion of rape and child sex offences alleged to have happened between the 2000s and 2020s. He was placed on police bail as officers from the Operation Bluestone dedicated rape and serious sexual assault team continued their investigation.
Last month police said: “Following our enquiries, the man has been further arrested on suspicion of rape against a second woman, sexual assault against a third woman, as well as voyeurism and upskirting against a number of women.
“We’re no longer actively investigating any sexual offences against children, but the original rape and misconduct in a public office investigation is continuing.
“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. The man remains on conditional bail.”
Mr Norris, who was Mayor of the West of England from 2021-25, was suspended from the Labour Party immediately after his arrest. He remains an MP although he is banned from entering Parliament.
He issued a statement after his further arrest, saying: “I vigorously and entirely deny the serious allegations made against me.
“They are untrue. I am challenging them through my legal representatives.”
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I would like to make clear that I am still representing constituents on a broad range of issues, including handling casework and policy, submitting written questions, voting by proxy and staying across all local and national developments in order to continue to serve constituents to the best of my ability.”