Listen To Story Above

A Labour Party Member of Parliament in Britain has been detained by police over allegations of serious sexual offences, including child-related crimes and rape.

Police took Dan Norris, who represents North East Somerset and Hanham, into custody on Friday and conducted a search of his residence, according to Avon and Somerset Police’s Saturday announcement.

“A man aged in his sixties was arrested on Friday on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), child abduction and misconduct in a public office,” the force said in a statement per The Guardian.

“He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue. This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”

The investigation began after authorities received information from another police force in December regarding historical sexual offences against a minor. While the majority of accusations stem from incidents in the 2000s, investigators are also examining a rape allegation from recent years.

The police force’s Operation Bluestone team, which specializes in investigating rape and serious sexual assault cases, is leading the ongoing investigation. They have confirmed that the victim is receiving necessary support services.

In response to the arrest, Labour Party officials took immediate action, suspending Norris’s party membership and removing his parliamentary whip.

“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,” a Labour spokesman said.

Norris’s political career includes serving as Wanskyke’s MP from 1997 to 2010, during which time he held the position of Rural Affairs minister under Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He made his return to Parliament last year after winning his seat from former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Prior to his political career, Norris received training from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to become a child protection officer.