UK's ruling party suspends MP after allegations of child abuse

LONDON: The Labour Party has suspended MP Dan Norris after he was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse, rape, and other serious offences, some of which are alleged to have taken place in the early 2000s.

Police said a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office.

"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," added the force.

Labour confirmed on Saturday night that they had suspended the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham in south-west England.

"Dan Norris MP was immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing," said a party spokesperson.

Norris, 65, was elected to Parliament in 2024, defeating high-profile Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

He had previously been in Parliament and served as a junior minister under former prime minister Gordon Brown.