Dan Norris has been banned from entering Parliament or the offices of the combined authority he runs as Metro Mayor, an email circulated to West of England Combined Authority staff states.
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris with his Birthday Bus pass in January | Photo © WECA
Staff were told that the mayor’s key fob had been deactivated and he has been told not to enter the combined authority building.
Norris, who is the North East Somerset and Hanham MP and West of England Metro Mayor, was arrested on Friday 4th April on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office.
Avon & Somerset Police said most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s but it was also investigating an alleged offence of rape in the 2020s. He has been released on conditional bail and has not been charged with any offences.
An email circulated to West of England Combined Authority (WECA) staff from its chief executive on 9th April said: “Following news at the weekend, and the ongoing police investigation, I wrote to the Mayor to inform him that he should not enter the building or attend any other meetings on behalf of the Combined Authority.
“The Mayor’s building access fob has been deactivated and the Mayor’s access to the authority’s IT system has been removed.
“It is matter of public record that a similar approach has been taken by the parliamentary estate and the Mayor’s access to parliament has been revoked.”
New rules in Parliament mean that a risk assessment is carried out when an MP is arrested on suspicion of a violent or sexual offence, which can decide to ban them from the Parliamentary estate.
A House of Commons spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Tuesday 8th April: “We do not comment on individual cases.
“The House has an established process, under Standing Order 164, to consider sanctions on Members who have been arrested on suspicion of violent or sexual offences.
“The details of that process remain confidential in line with the Standing Orders.”
Despite being banned from accessing the West of England Combined Authority buildings, Norris remains the West of England Metro Mayor, but his time leading the organisation is already set to come to an end.
The election for the new Metro Mayor is set to be held on 1st May.
Under Labour Party policy about second jobs, Mr Norris is already not standing for reelection. With the election less than a month away, the combined authority is in the “pre election period” — previously called “purdah” — meaning that major decision-making is effectively on pause.
Staff at the combined authority are being offered specialist trauma support.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the three councils that make up WECA said: “Following the news over the weekend, we want to reassure people across the West of England and beyond that effective decision making at the combined authority remains in place.
“Working with senior officials in the region, and in continued partnership with national government, our important work continues.
“At our respective councils, we have taken steps to ensure that any staff who may have been affected have access to the appropriate support.
“With the pre-election period already underway, and any major decisions set for future committee meetings, we look forward to working with the new Mayor after the election on 1st May.”
The letter was signed by Bath & North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy, Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer, and South Gloucestershire Council co-leader Ian Boulton.
Norris was immediately suspended from the Labour Party after his arrest but he remains the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, now officially as an independent.
A spokesperson from the constituency office team said: “The office is open as usual and staff are continuing to work on casework.”
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
