British lawmaker Dan Norris of the Labor Party, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, was arrested on allegations of rape, child sexual offenses, child abduction and misconduct in public office with offenses spanning two decades.
The 65-year-old Norris, a former child protection officer, was released on conditional bail pending further investigation. He has been suspended by the Labor Party and stepped down as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sports.
Norris served under British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and recently defeated Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2024 general elections. His arrest has raised scrutiny of Labor’s vetting processes.
Norris previously compared Trump to disgraced ex-PM Boris Johnson, accusing both of law-breaking and dishonesty in a June 2023 social media post.
Norris’ arrest follows that of ex-Labor MP Ivor Caplin, detained in a January pedophile sting after allegedly engaging in online sexual communications with a child, which was broadcast live on social media.
MP Dan Norris, representing North East Somerset and Hanham in the House of Commons, was taken into custody Friday, April 4. An educator by profession, he was also a former child protection officer trained by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Norris, 65, was released on conditional bail pending further investigation.
The lawmaker’s arrest stemmed from allegations of rape, child sexual offenses, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. The allegations span two decades as per the Avon and Somerset Police, with most offenses reportedly occurring in the 2000s and a rape accusation dating to the 2020s.
Norris served under former British Prime Ministers (PMs) Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and represented the Wansdyke constituency before it was abolished. He defeated Jacob Rees-Mogg of the Conservative (Tory) Party during the 2024 general elections to represent North East Somerset and Hanham.
The Labor Party swiftly suspended Norris upon learning of his arrest, which meant that he cannot join the party in the House of Commons. “We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing,” a spokesperson for the party told the BBC on Saturday, April 5. Aside from this, Norris stepped down from his position as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sports.
From social media rants to handcuffs: The stunning downfall of Norris
Norris’ career has been marked by vocal criticism of Trump. In a post on X from June 2023, he compared Trump to disgraced former British PM Boris Johnson, a Tory.
“[Johnson] broke the law. He diminished Britain’s influence and credibility. He lied,” Norris’ post read. “Even as he exits, he continues to show no contrition. The similarities with Trump are stark.”
The arrests of Norris and Caplin unfold against a backdrop of growing scrutiny on the United Kingdom’s handling of sexual crimes, particularly those involving political figures. As investigators probe Norris’ alleged crimes, the Labor Party faces renewed scrutiny over its vetting processes.
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