In the UK, Member of Parliament Dan Norris from the ruling Labour Party was arrested on charges of sexual assault and child abuse and later released on bail. According to The Guardian, Norris, who is also a former minister, had his home raided by the police on Friday where he was taken into custody. The police stated that the MP was arrested on suspicion of “misconduct in public office.” Norris, who served as the Wansdyke MP from 1997 to 2010, was elected as the West of England Metro Mayor in 2021. He also previously worked as a teacher and child protection officer.

The Avon and Somerset Police revealed that a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday for alleged sexual crimes against a young girl, including sexual assault, child abduction, and misconduct in public office. The MP was released on bail to allow the investigation to proceed smoothly. The police emphasized the need for the public to refrain from speculating about the case to ensure an unobstructed investigation.

The police disclosed that the majority of the alleged crimes took place in the early 2000s, with one incident of sexual assault in the 2020s also being investigated. They assured that the necessary support and assistance were provided to the victim. The Labour Party released a statement regarding the matter, confirming that MP Dan Norris had been immediately suspended from the party pending the ongoing investigation, without further comment until more details emerge.