Labour Member of Parliament Dan Norris faces mounting scrutiny following his recent arrest on suspicion of serious sexual offenses. The situation has been compounded by fresh accusations of bullying and harassment leveled against him by former employees, adding another layer to a complex and controversial period.
The allegations emerged shortly after Norris’s arrest last Friday on suspicion of rape and multiple counts of historical child sex offences, reportedly spanning from the 2000s with an additional allegation from the 2020s. Avon & Somerset Police confirmed he was also being investigated for misconduct in public office.
“In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl,” stated the police. “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.”
The allegations regarding Norris’s conduct within his role as Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) have been uncovered by *The Telegraph*. These accusations detail a pattern of concerning behavior, including:
- Financial Settlements: The authority reportedly disbursed significant sums of taxpayer money to settle claims from former staff members in recent years.
- Culture Review Proposal: Following complaints of harassment, bullying, and constructive dismissal, a proposal for a comprehensive culture review was initiated.
- Staff Concerns: A staff survey revealed anxieties about the need to “protect officers from the mayor.”
- High Turnover Rates: One union representative noted an “unprecedented level of turnover” within teams attributed to Norris’s actions and decisions.
An independent audit by Grant Thornton highlighted concerns surrounding a £219,000 severance payment to former chief executive Dr. Patricia Greer, citing “instances of sub-optimal interaction” between Weca officers and the mayor. The report also indicated that several senior employees who departed Weca since Norris’s election in 2021 expressed “dissatisfaction with the quality of interaction” with him.
The auditors concluded that the severance payment to Dr Greer was dealt with properly but noted a separate finding: a bus advertisement featuring Norris and his dog was deemed unlawful, violating guidelines on the use of public funds for political gain.
Furthermore, a “Best Value Notice” issued in March 2024 warned of a “poor state of professional relationships” between Norris and other members of the authority.
The Labour Party swiftly responded to Norris’s arrest by suspending him pending the outcome of the police investigation. 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.
Adding to the controversy, Norris holds both the position of mayor and serves as a Member of Parliament, effectively drawing approximately £180,000 in public funding through these roles.
These documents are currently being submitted to an employment tribunal and will also be presented in the High Court, where Norris faces a separate lawsuit for harassment and bullying related to his previous role as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sport. The accumulating evidence suggests a potential pattern of problematic behavior.
Norris is presently on conditional bail while investigations into the allegations of sexual offenses continue.
