Dan Norris#Arrest

Norris was born on 28 January 1960 in London to David and June Norris.{{cite book|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|url=http://internetserver.bishopsgate.org.uk/Details/fullCatalogue/2445219|title=Parliamentary Profiles: Four Volume Set|last2=Criddle|first2=Byron|publisher=Parliamentary Profile Services Ltd|year=1998|isbn=9780900582431|chapter=Dan NORRIS, WANSDYKE '97-|access-date=1 May 2021|chapter-url=https://archive.today/20201112144211/http://internetserver.bishopsgate.org.uk/files/Parliamentary%20Profiles%20Archive/L-R%5CNORRIS,%20Dan/NORRIS,%20Dan.pdf|authorlink1=Andrew Roth}}{{Cite web|title=Norris, Dan, (born 28 Jan. 1960)|url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-29681|access-date=2021-05-10|website=WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO|year=2007|language=en|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U29681|isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 }} June was a Labour councillor who contested the Northavon constituency at the 1983 and 1992 general elections. David was a sales manager and social worker.

Norris was educated at Chipping Sodbury School and the University of Sussex,{{cite web |last=Norris |first=Dan |date=30 April 2021 |title=Today I went back to school |url=https://www.facebook.com/votedannorris/photos/pb.105555874609844.-2207520000../285406093291487/?type=3&eid=ARCY1vkeWIibM2Ln-H_BKipLI74MDVTbRurwciMx3Hy1tDFXHYvQ5liI6EHuKtcvov51PwQVCUyFicmA |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Facebook |quote=Today I went back to school (at Chipping Sodbury School where I did my A levels)}} where he received a Master of Arts in social work in 1988.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Stephanie |title=UK General Election sees two Sussex alumni join new Labour Cabinet and a further ten alumni elected to Parliament |url=https://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/65031 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=The University of Sussex |language=en}} He worked as a teacher and child protection officer, having trained with the NSPCC.

Norris was a councillor on Bristol City Council for the Brislington West ward from 1989 to 1992 and from 1995 to 1997, and a councillor on Avon County Council from 1994 to 1996.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/19289178.labours-dan-norris-wins-west-england-mayoral-election/ |title=Labour's Dan Norris wins West of England mayoral election |last=Postans |first=Adam |website=Gloucestershire Gazette |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=13 September 2022}}{{cite report |url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Local-Elections-Handbook-1993-complete.pdf |title=Local Elections Handbook 1993 |last1=Rallings |first1=Colin |last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |publisher=Plymouth University |work=The Elections Centre |page=17 |year=1993 |access-date=1 May 2021}} He is a member of the GMB trade union.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmb.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=94367 |title=GMB MP's |work=GMB Union |access-date=10 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216194800/http://www.gmb.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=94367 |archive-date=16 February 2007}}

Norris first stood for parliament in the constituency of Northavon in 1987, losing against the Conservative incumbent, John Cope. In 1992, he was the Labour candidate for Wansdyke in Somerset, coming in second place against the Conservative incumbent, Jack Aspinwall. He contested the Wansdyke seat again in the election of 1997, and this time succeeded in taking it with a majority of 4,799, overturning a Conservative majority of 11,770 votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/dec/28/uk.election20002|title=Labour roots in a rural Tory setting|last=White|first=Michael|date=28 December 2000|work=Special report: elections 2000|publisher=The Guardian|access-date=10 May 2008}} Norris went on to increase his majority to 5,613 in the election of 2001.

Norris had an interest in child safety and regularly campaigned against paedophiles. In 1999 he launched a booklet in the House of Commons to educate parents about paedophiles, published by the charities Kidscape, Childline and the Lucy Faithful Foundation; it had a foreword written by Prime Minister Tony Blair. The guide was distributed to 1.5 million parents in his constituency and nearby areas.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/347517.stm |title=UK Paedophile warning for parents |work=BBC News |date=19 May 1999 |access-date=6 April 2025}} Since 1998, Norris had advocated in parliament for the introduction of a UK version of Megan's Law, which would enable parents and head teachers to inquire in a controlled way if high-risk sex offenders lived in their area, leading to the first UK trial of such a scheme in his constituency in 2007 before later widespread adoption as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/6538371.stm |title=New trials for law on paedophiles |work=BBC News |date=9 April 2007 |access-date=7 April 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-a-person-has-a-record-for-child-sexual-offences |title=Find out if a person has a record for child sexual offences |publisher=Home Office |via=gov.uk |date=3 April 2023 |access-date=7 April 2025}} In 2005 Norris co-wrote, produced and distributed a booklet, Don't Bully Me, giving practical advice to children in the UK on dealing with bullying.{{cite web|date=23 November 2005|title=Council's irresponsible and dangerous approach to bullying slammed by child campaigning West MP|url=http://www.kidscape.org.uk/press/pressdetail.asp?PressID=14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417145848/http://www.kidscape.org.uk/press/pressdetail.asp?PressID=14|archive-date=17 April 2008|access-date=10 May 2008|work=Kidscape|df=dmy}}

Norris was an assistant whip for the Treasury from June 2001 to June 2003.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2176439.stm |title=Dan Norris |work=BBC News |date=16 October 2002 |access-date=22 September 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Parliamentary career for Dan Norris - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/221/career|access-date=2021-04-12|website=members.parliament.uk|language=en}} In May 2006 he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain until June 2007, then PPS to Foreign Secretary David Miliband to January 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10458/dan_norris/wansdyke |title=Dan Norris |website=TheyWorkForYou |publisher=mySociety |access-date=28 September 2020}} In the reshuffle of June 2009, Norris entered government as a minister for the first time, becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment).{{cite web |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/ministers/norris.htm |title=Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Dan Norris MP (Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment) |website=Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |date=9 December 2009 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304120540/http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/ministers/norris.htm |archive-date=4 March 2010 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url-status=live }}

Norris had long campaigned against fox hunting, supporting the legislation outlawing it. On the final day of legal fox hunting, 28 February 2005, he was accosted by Duke of Beaufort's Hunt supporters in an incident at Badminton which was shown live on regional television news.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/metro-mayor-dan-norris-gets-7673984 |title=Metro Mayor Dan Norris gets new role - leading the League Against Cruel Sports |last=Cork |first=Tristan |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=7 October 2022 |access-date=30 January 2023}}

The 2005 general election saw his lead over the Conservatives fall to 1,839. In changes made by the Boundary Commission for England, the Wansdyke constituency underwent moderate boundary changes and was renamed North East Somerset ahead of the 2010 election.{{cite book|title=Fifth Periodical Report, Volume I: Report, Cm 7032-i |year=2007 |publisher=The Stationery Office |location=London |isbn=978-0-10-170322-2 |page= 210 |url=http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7032/7032.pdf |access-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726095050/http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7032/7032.pdf |archive-date=26 July 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/index.html?bdy_west_summary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219175342/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/index.html?bdy_west_summary.html|title=West: New Constituency Boundaries |archive-date=19 February 2007|website=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite book|last1= Waller|first1= Robert|authorlink=|last2= Criddle|first2=Byron|title=The Almanac of British Politics|edition=8th|year=2007|publisher=Routledge |location=London|isbn=978-0-415-37823-9|page=971}} Norris stood in the new seat but was defeated by the Conservative candidate Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Following his defeat at the 2010 general election, Norris worked for David Miliband in his unsuccessful bid for the Labour leadership.{{cite web |url=https://www.snowdontrust.org/about-us/our-board/dan-norris/ |title=Our Board - Dan Norris |publisher=Snowdon Trust |year=2014 |access-date=14 December 2016}} In May 2012, Norris was shortlisted to be the Labour Party candidate for the Bristol mayoral election, but did not win the selection.{{cite web |url=http://labour-uncut.co.uk/2012/05/25/profile-of-labour%E2%80%99s-candidates-for-the-bristol-mayoralty-dan-norris/ |title=Profile of Labour's candidates for the Bristol mayoralty: Dan Norris |author=Amanda Ramsay |publisher=Labour Uncut |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=14 December 2016}} In 2016 he was head of operations for the Russell Group of universities,{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/universities-chief-s-free-five-star-singapore-trip-j020hfx8c |title=Universities chief's free, five-star Singapore trip |last=Brown |first=David |newspaper=The Times |location=London |url-access=subscription |date=10 August 2016 |access-date=28 April 2021 |quote=Dan Norris, 56, a former Labour MP and head of operations at the Russell Group}} and he has run businesses.{{cite web |url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/the-mayor/ |title=Dan Norris was elected West of England Metro Mayor in May 2021 |website=West of England Combined Authority |date=May 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://thebristolcable.org/2021/08/west-of-england-mayor-directed-business-that-tried-to-profit-from-logging-on-conflict-ridden-island-dan-norris-west-papua-labour/ |title=West of England Mayor directed business that tried to profit from logging on rainforest island |last=Aviram |first=Alon |newspaper=The Bristol Cable |date=2 August 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021}} Norris was critical of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party's handling of antisemitism, stating in an op-ed for the Bristol Post, "today’s Labour leadership seems to have become highly uncomfortable in opposing racism when it is directed at Jewish people".{{Cite web|title=My shock and horror at Labour's antisemitism - former Bristol MP|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/shock-horror-labours-antisemitism-former-2216813|last=Norris|first=Dan|date=2018-11-13|website=Bristol Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114013740/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/shock-horror-labours-antisemitism-former-2216813 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |access-date=2020-05-22}}

In 2004, Norris was appointed to the board of the Snowdon Trust, a charity that supports students with physical disabilities. Norris was an ambassador for the children's charity Kidscape.{{cite web|url=http://www.kidscape.org.uk/info/staffpatronlist.asp |title=Kidscape Staff, Trustees, Patrons, Volunteers |work=Kidscape |access-date=8 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524030923/http://www.kidscape.org.uk/info/staffpatronlist.asp |archive-date=24 May 2011 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.kidscape.org.uk/who-we-are/management-patrons-and-ambassadors/ |title=Management, patrons and ambassadors |work=Kidscape |access-date=14 December 2016}}

{{See also|League Against Cruel Sports#Political allegations}}

Norris was also a trustee of the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS),{{Cite web |title=Our Trustees |url=https://www.league.org.uk/who-we-are/trustees/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=www.league.org.uk |language=en-gb}} becoming chairman in October 2022. During his chairmanship, Norris faced criticisms of political interference, with the then Chief Executive Andy Knott accusing Norris of putting pressure on him to "keep quiet" if Labour dropped its commitment to close loopholes in existing fox-hunting laws.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/22/league-against-cruel-sport-chief-quits-labour-hunting-ban/|title=League Against Cruel Sport chief quits after Labour ‘betrayal’ on hunting ban|last=Dixon|first=Haley|date=22 June 2024|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=15 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/campaign-group-calls-animal-charitys-mp-chair-resign/governance/article/1885947|title=Campaign group calls for animal charity’s MP chair to resign|last=Emily|first=Harle|date=22 August 2024|work=Third Sector|accessdate=15 April 2025}} A group of former LACS members operating under the name Save the League called for Norris to resign as Chair, and Knott resigned as chief executive in June 2024 after claims of a "sustained harassment campaign".{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/anti-hunting-boss-forced-to-quit-after-abuse-by-extremists-508x75q9m|title=Anti-hunting boss ‘forced to quit after abuse by extremists|last=Brown|first=David|date=21 February 2025|work=The Times|accessdate=15 April 2025}} Norris ultimately resigned as chairman following his arrest in April 2025,{{cite news|url=https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/mp-dan-norris-steps-down-as-charity-chair-after-arrest.html|title=MP Dan Norris steps down as charity chair after arrest|last=Preston|first=Dan|date=7 April 2025|work=Civil Society|accessdate=15 April 2025}} and in that month a case was initiated in the High Court against LACS and Norris, in his role as chairman, by Knott for harassment and bullying.{{cite news|url=https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/animal-charity-facing-3m-legal-claim-former-chief/governance/article/1907629|title=Animal charity facing £3m legal claim from former chief|last=Emily|first=Harle|date=25 February 2025|work=Third Sector|accessdate=15 April 2025}}

Norris was selected as the Labour Party candidate on 16 November 2020, defeating Bristol councillor Helen Godwin in a vote of local members by 1,611 votes to 1,558.{{cite web|last1=Rodgers|first1=Sienna|date=16 November 2020|title=Dan Norris selected as Labour's West of England mayoral candidate|url=https://labourlist.org/2020/11/dan-norris-selected-as-labours-west-of-england-mayoral-candidate/|publisher=LabourList|accessdate=17 November 2020}} During the election campaign, the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer visited Bath to campaign with him. They were asked to leave a pub by its landlord, who opposed the use of lockdowns as part of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Sir Keir Starmer kicked out of pub and Boris Johnson appears to forget name of Tory incumbent on difficult day of campaigning|url=https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-kicked-out-of-pub-and-boris-johnson-appears-to-forget-name-of-tory-incumbent-on-difficult-day-of-campaigning-12280441|date=2021-04-19|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Sky News|language=en}}

During the election campaign, Norris said that incumbent mayor Tim Bowles was the "only metro mayor who doesn't have more powers than when he started", and that if elected he would seek more money and powers from central government.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=West of England metro mayor election: Meet the candidates|url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-04-20/west-of-england-metro-mayor-meet-the-candidates-for-may-2021-elections|access-date=2021-04-25|website=ITV News|language=en}} He said he would establish a "Green Recovery Fund" to create 23,000 jobs by investing in "home retrofitting, tree-planting, flood and drought defences, and renewable energy".{{Cite news|date=2021-04-20|title=A green jobs revolution must go beyond construction and manufacturing|url=https://thebristolcable.org/2021/04/a-green-jobs-revolution-must-go-beyond-construction-and-manufacturing/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=The Bristol Cable |last=Corner |first=Adam}}{{cite news |url=https://votedan.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MANIFESTO-FINAL-compressed.pdf |title=Ambition for the West of England - Dan Norris 2021 Manifesto |last=Norris |first=Dan |website=votedan.uk |date=April 2021 |access-date=7 April 2025}}

Norris was elected as the mayor of the West of England in the 2021 mayoral election, a role which had previously been held by the Conservative Tim Bowles.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-08|title=Labour's Dan Norris wins West of England mayor election|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/08/labour-dan-norris-wins-west-of-england-mayor-election|access-date=2021-05-08|website=The Guardian|language=en}} Upon taking office, he became entitled to the style of Mayor.Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, s 107A(5). He credited his victory to the leadership of Keir Starmer. He said he would support North Somerset and parts of Somerset joining the combined authority, and he would seek additional funds for them.{{Cite news|date=2021-05-11|title=West of England Mayor Dan Norris hopes to safeguard jobs and businesses|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-57061524|access-date=2021-05-16}}

In his first public meeting of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), Norris vetoed a proposal supported by the leaders of the three constituent councils to spend £100,000 reviewing how the authority functions and makes decisions.{{Cite web|last=Postans|first=Adam|date=2021-07-02|title=Metro mayor Dan Norris in early clash with council leaders|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/new-metro-mayor-dan-norris-5602733|access-date=2021-07-18|website=BristolLive|language=en}} At a meeting in July, Norris and the council leaders rejected most of a climate action plan that the authority had been developing since 2019 as insufficiently ambitious, and agreed to begin developing a replacement.{{Cite web|last=Postans|first=Adam|date=2021-07-06|title=Mayors and council leaders back to drawing board on climate plan|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/mayors-council-leaders-go-back-5615992|access-date=2021-07-18|website=BristolLive|language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Postans |first=Adam |date=2021-07-07|title=WECA scraps its climate plan: 'Not ambitious enough'|url=https://thebristolcable.org/2021/07/weca-scraps-its-climate-plan-not-ambitious-enough/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=The Bristol Cable|language=en-GB}} Also in July 2021, Norris launched new schemes to support the creative and food industries in the region.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-02|title=Metro mayor announces more support for creative businesses and freelancers in Bath and North East Somerset|url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/metro-mayor-announces-more-support-for-creative-businesses-and-freelancers-in-bath-and-north-east-somerset/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=InYourArea.co.uk}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-14|title=Extra support offered to food and drink sector across West of England|url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/business/extra-support-food-drink-sector-across-west-england-95104/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=Bath Echo|language=en-GB}}

In the October 2021 budget, the UK government allocated £540 million to WECA over a five-year period for public transport improvements, to predominantly be spent on improving bus services.{{cite news |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/autumn-budget-2021-bristol-bath-21992437 |title=Autumn Budget 2021: Bristol and Bath region receives £540m boost for public transport |last=Baker |first=Hannah |publisher=Bloomberg |date=28 October 2021 |access-date=29 October 2021}} This included £48 million for a park and ride scheme near the M32 strategic corridor from South Gloucestershire to Bristol.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-m32-must-downgraded-road-7008256 |title=Bristol M32 must be downgraded to A-road for park and ride to happen, says council leader |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=28 April 2022 |access-date=28 April 2022}} The funding is from the Department for Transport's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements scheme.{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1070109/crsts-funding-settlement-letter-for-west-of-england-1-april-2022.pdf |title=Allocating City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements |last=Shapps |first=Grant |website=Department for Transport |via=gov.uk |date=1 April 2022 |access-date=28 April 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-region-sustainable-transport-settlements-developing-proposals/city-region-sustainable-transport-settlements-guidance-for-mayoral-combined-authorities |title=Scope of city region sustainable transport settlements |via=gov.uk |website=Department for Transport |date=12 August 2021 |access-date=28 April 2022}}

There was a dispute between WECA members and Norris over the mayor's powers,{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/row-between-wecas-political-leaders-5985485 |title=Row between WECA's political leaders intensifies |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=29 September 2021 |access-date=29 October 2021}} in particular a power to veto alternative proposals to their joint committee which included North Somerset Council. The four local authorities’ monitoring officers, who give legal advice, stated the veto could arguably amount to maladministration.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bombshell-leaked-letter-reveals-weca-6052340 |title=Bombshell leaked letter reveals WECA leaders' power tussle |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=13 October 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021}} On 15 October 2021, the four council leaders did not attend a WECA meeting with the mayor, which meant over £50 million of spending decisions could not be made.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/weca-crisis-four-council-leaders-6068959 |title=WECA crisis as all four council leaders pull out of crucial meeting |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/west-of-england-leaders-in-dialogue-with-mayor-after-veto-dispute-19-10-2021/ |title=West of England leaders 'in dialogue' with mayor after veto dispute |last=Kenyon |first=Megan |newspaper=Local Government Chronicle |url-access=limited |date=19 October 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021}} Norris stated: "I would agree that [my predecessor] gave into them, I am not prepared to do that ... I'm not really bothered about procedures or legal arguments, frankly. I'm determined to get policies through and things delivered." A former non-voting member of WECA, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England Professor Steve West, was appointed as mediator in the dispute.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/trouble-shooter-appointed-break-weca-6178397 |title=Trouble-shooter appointed to break WECA leaders' deadlock |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=8 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0011gmm/politics-west-07112021 |chapter=WECA row |title=Politics West |time=1m23s-9m34s |publisher=BBC TV |date=7 November 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |quote=Norris: Well, I think what's happened is that the issues that we're seeing now at the moment with me were also happening for my predecessor. I would agree that he probably gave in to them. I'm not prepared to do that where there are important issues about serving our community. So, you know, I was elected by the people. They are my first concern. I'm not really bothered about procedures or legal arguments, frankly. I'm determined to get policies through and get things delivered.}} In November 2021, after taking new legal advice, Norris agreed not to claim veto powers on decisions involving North Somerset.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/weca-row-could-over-metro-6218790 |title=WECA row could be over as metro mayor Dan Norris backs down over veto |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=17 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021}}

Following the publication of the Grant Thornton report, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities placed WECA on a monitoring watchlist, so if there is not improvement this could result in a "best value" improvement panel being imposed or government best value inspectors taking over control of WECA.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/weca-placed-government-watchlist-after-8218132 |title=WECA placed on government 'watchlist' after council leaders' rows |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=6 March 2023 |access-date=7 March 2023}} WECA was issued a "best value" notice by DLUHC in March 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/weca-ordered-improve-westminster/|title=WECA ordered to improve by Westminster|date=5 March 2024|last=Booth|first=Martin|work=Bristol24/7|accessdate=8 April 2025}} The government announced WECA had been released from "special measures" in March 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/governance/396-governance-news/60185-government-decides-against-renewing-best-value-notice-for-mayoral-combined-authority|title=Government decides against renewing best value notice for mayoral combined authority|date=5 March 2025|last=Carey|first=Adam|work=Local Government Lawyer|accessdate=7 April 2025}}

In November 2021, the combined authority submitted a plan for a "seamless" public transport system with a single brand and payment system across buses and trains and across different operators.{{Cite web|last=Postans|first=Adam|date=2021-11-08|title=Bus services revamp in Bristol region to mirror London transport|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/major-revamp-bus-services-bristol-6167664|access-date=2021-12-02|website=BristolLive|language=en}} South Gloucestershire Council asked for funding from WECA for a pedestrianisation scheme on Thornbury's high street, which Norris threatened to withhold unless the council further consulted residents.{{Cite web|title=Metro mayor threatens to withhold Thornbury High Street funding|url=https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/19695124.dan-norris-threatens-withhold-thornbury-high-street-funding/|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Gazette Series|date=6 November 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Metro mayor welcomes return of buses to 'empty' Thornbury High Street|url=https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/19729547.dan-norris-welcomes-return-buses-thornbury-high-street/|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Gazette Series|date=19 November 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Cruse|first=Beth|date=2021-11-10|title=Pedestrianisation row sees Mayor threaten to withdraw funding|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/high-street-pedestrianisation-row-sees-6181564|access-date=2021-12-02|website=BristolLive|language=en}} In the same month, Norris signed WECA up to a charter committing to support staff diagnosed with terminal illness, and urged organisations across the West of England to do likewise.{{Cite web|title=WECA signs up to Dying to Work Charter|url=http://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/article.cfm?id=121248&headline=WECA%20signs%20up%20to%20Dying%20to%20Work%20Charter§ionIs=news&searchyear=2021|access-date=2021-12-02|website=The Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-02|title=Local organisations encouraged to sign up to new "Dying to Work" charter|url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/business/organisations-urged-sign-dying-work-charter-96672/|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Bath Echo|language=en-GB}} He supported a strike by the University and College Union in Bristol in December 2021.{{Cite web|last=Deeney|first=Yvonne|date=2021-12-01|title=University of Bristol staff begin three-day strike|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/university-bristol-staff-begin-three-6288792|access-date=2021-12-02|website=BristolLive|language=en}}

In 2023, Norris announced the launch of a "Birthday Pass", a concessionary bus pass that would allow commuters to travel on any bus route across the West of England free of charge during the month of their birthday.{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolworld.com/news/free-birthday-month-bus-travel-in-bristol-when-does-it-start-and-how-to-apply-4206828|title=Free birthday month bus travel in Bristol: When does it start and how to apply

|last=Taylor|first=Mark|date=5 July 2023|work=BristolWorld|accessdate=7 April 2025}} A WECA scrutiny committee was critical of the scheme, noting that the £8 million project was “benefiting the richest 10 per cent significantly more than the poorest 10 per cent”.{{cite news|url=https://keynshamvoice.co.uk/2024/02/25/metro-mayor-defends-free-birthday-bus-pass-scheme/|title=Metro Mayor defends free Birthday Bus pass scheme|date=25 February 2024|work=Keynsham Voice|accessdate=7 April 2025}} The scheme also faced allegations of potential unlawful use of public funds, with £10,000 spent on a advertising wrap for a bus, which included three large images of the Mayor and his dog. While the report said while there is no problem in principle with the promotion of the scheme, or associating the metro mayor with it, the size of the images "appears to explicitly seek to affect public support of the metro mayor", rather than promote the bus pass scheme.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n4927lpd9o|title='Unlawful' bus ad of mayor and dog cost £10,000|last=Ketibuah-Foley|first=Jasmine|date=24 November 2023|work=BBC News|accessdate=7 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/mayor-spent-10-000-of-taxpayers-money-on-image-of-him-and-his-dog-on-bus-report-finds-13015035|title=Mayor spent £10,000 of taxpayers' money on image of him and his dog on bus, report finds

|last=Brown|first=Faye|date=24 November 2023|work=BBC News|accessdate=7 April 2025}} Norris defended the scheme, arguing that its uptake amongst middle class commuters were "precisely the people most needed to get out of their cars and onto public transport", and that the images needed to be so big as it was "used on a big bus".{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dan-norris-unlawful-bus-images-8955409|title=Dan Norris 'unlawful' bus images had to be so big because 'it's a big bus', metro mayor says|last=Postans|first=Adam|date=6 December 2023|work=BristolLive|accessdate=7 April 2025}} The Birthday Bus Pass was extended for a second year in November 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/birthday-buses-initiative-return-second-year-108664/|title=Popular Birthday Buses initiative set to return for a second year|date=5 November 2024|work=Bath Echo|accessdate=7 April 2025}} The Mayor faced criticism for using £120 of public money to pay for a bus-shaped birthday cake that was fed to the Mayor's dog and journalists who attended the announcement of the extension.{{cite news|url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/regional-news/gimmick-cake-promoting-birthday-buses-9767387|title=‘Gimmick’ cake promoting birthday buses scheme that was fed to dog cost taxpayers £120

|last=Seabrook|first=Alex|date=4 December 2024|work=Gloucestershire Live|accessdate=7 April 2025}}

In September 2024, it was announced that Norris would be ineligible to seek re-election, following proposals adopted by the Labour government extend a ban on councillors remaining in their local government roles if they are elected to the House of Commons to other office holders, including Mayors.{{cite news|url=https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/news/mp-wont-run-for-west-of-england-metro-mayor-again-after-rule-change-724268|title=MP won't run for West of England Metro mayor again after rule change|date=24 September 2024|work=Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal|accessdate=7 April 2025}}

Following Norris' arrest in April 2025, The Daily Telegraph published the results of an October 2023 staff survey, which highlighted accusations against the Mayor of bullying and harassment at the WECA office. The survey raised concerns that there was “a need to ‘protect officers from the mayor’" and noted there had been an “unprecedented level of turnover” within some teams because of Norris’s “actions and decisions”.{{cite news|url=https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2025-04-07-labour-mp-norris-further-accused-of-harassment-bullying-by-staff|title=‘Protect officers' - Labour MP Norris further accused of harassment & bullying by staff|last=Broomfield|first=Benjamin|date=7 April 2025|work=HR Grapevine|accessdate=23 April 2025}}

A major responsibility of WECA and the mayor is the development of a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), which would guide major planning decisions in the area and thus development direction in the area.{{cite web |url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Spatial-Development-Strategy-summary.pdf |title=Spatial Development Strategy |website=WECA |year=2020 |access-date=28 May 2022}} The SDS is subject to unanimous WECA vote.{{cite web |url=https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mayor-west-england |title=Mayor of the West of England |publisher=Institute for Government |date=13 December 2024 |access-date=20 April 2025}} A somewhat similar Joint Spatial Plan was previously being developed by the area's unitary authorities in a four-year process, and included building three new "garden villages". In 2019, the plan was withdrawn after the Planning Inspectorate criticised it as not "robust, consistent or objective".{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/years-been-wasted-reaction-after-3168152 |title='Years have been wasted': All the reaction after plans for 105,000 homes rejected |last=Gogarty |first=Conor |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=29 May 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1670180/west-england-joint-spatial-strategy-doubt-councils-line-withdraw |title=West of England joint spatial strategy in doubt as councils line up to withdraw |last=Marrs |first=Colin |website=Planning |publisher=Haymarket |date=8 January 2020 |access-date=28 May 2022}} Consequently, producing a SDS for WECA to agree became a priority for the new mayor.{{cite web |url=https://www.rtpi.org.uk/media/5566/the-ongoing-saga-of-woe-strategic-planning-jan-2020.doc |format=Word DOC |title=The on-going saga of strategic planning in the West of England has taken a further turn |last=Walker |first=Geoff |website=Royal Town Planning Institute |date=May 2020 |access-date=10 June 2022}} The SDS covers the period to 2041, and was to have a 12-week public consultation before a public examination by the Planning Inspectorate in early 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/19879399.metro-mayor-south-glos-leader-row-spatial-development-strategy-concerns/ |title=Metro Mayor and South Glos leader in row over Spatial Development Strategy concerns |last=Woodruff |first=Leanne |website=Gloucestershire Gazette |date=27 January 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022}}

In March 2022, Norris stated that the region's green belt was "not fit for purpose". He argued that there should be no overall green belt area reduction, but limited changes to extend urban areas in a few places should be permitted. At the time, there was a proposal by the owners of Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium to build 500 homes on the neighbouring green belt as part of a "sporting quarter" development.{{cite news |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/bristol/news/west-of-england-greenbelt-needs-to-change-says-regional-mayor/ |title=West of England greenbelt needs to change, says regional Mayor |last=Diamond |first=James |website=Greatest Hits Radio |publisher=Planet Radio |date=28 March 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/final-plans-4000-seat-arena-5552734 |title=Final plans for 4,000 seat arena and 500 homes submitted by Ashton Gate |last=Cork |first=Tristan |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=21 June 2021 |access-date=14 April 2022}}

The mayor and the leader of South Gloucestershire council disputed the amount of new housing proposed in WECA's forthcoming SDS, publication of which was deferred.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/row-erupts-amid-fears-south-6916430 |title=Row erupts amid fears South Gloucestershire could be swamped by thousands of new homes |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022}} In May 2022, Norris told the government that agreement of a SDS was impossible, blaming South Gloucestershire council for leaving discussions, which was denied by South Gloucestershire's leader.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-region-housing-masterplan-collapses-7068845 |title=Bristol region housing masterplan collapses amid huge row - what it means for city's future |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=12 May 2022 |access-date=20 May 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/weca-housing-masterplan-not-dead-7103524 |title=WECA housing masterplan not dead after all, council leader insists |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=19 May 2022 |access-date=20 May 2022}} Subsequently, the three councils started developing their own individual Local Plans, which Norris had described as "parochial".{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/collapsed-west-england-housing-plan-7267467 |title=Collapsed west of England housing plan is 'lost opportunity to shape region's future' |last=Seabrook |first=Alex |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=29 June 2022 |access-date=27 September 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/south-gloucestershire-council-resumes-local-7549783 |title=South Gloucestershire Council resumes Local Plan work after collapse of WECA housing masterplan |last=Postans |first=Adam |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=6 September 2022 |access-date=27 September 2022}}

In July 2024, Norris was elected to Parliament at the 2024 general election for North East Somerset and Hanham, which covered largely the same area as his former Wansdyke constituency, defeating Jacob Rees-Mogg in a rematch of their 2010 contest.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-11 |title=Labour Mayor selected to fight Rees-Mogg seat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl5klqn9yj8o |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} He continued to hold the office of mayor of the West of England, although under "second job" rule changes implemented by the Labour Party in September 2024, he would not be able to stand for re-election as mayor in May 2025.{{Cite web |last=McDaid |first=Lucy |date=23 September 2024 |title=Dan Norris: 'I will not be able to stand as West metro mayor next year' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2024-09-23/metro-mayor-dan-norris-not-able-to-stand-next-year |access-date=28 November 2024 |website=ITV News}}

Following his arrest in April 2025, Norris was banned from the Parliamentary Estate while a risk assessment was undertaken.{{cite news|url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/dan-norris-banned-parliament-weca-10095323|title=Dan Norris banned from Parliament and WECA offices|last=Wimperis|first=John|date=10 April 2025|work=SomersetLive|accessdate=10 April 2025}} While this meant that he was unable to participate in parliamentary business, his constituency office remained open, and Norris continued to support constituents with local casework.{{cite news|url=https://keynshamvoice.co.uk/2025/04/29/what-mps-arrest-means-for-constituents/|title=What MP’s arrest means for constituents|last=Whimperis|first=John|date=29 April 2025|work=Keynsham Voice|accessdate=31 May 2025}} As of 16 May 2025, Norris began to vote on legislation again, by using proxy voting, with Chris Elmore, the Welsh Labour Party MP for Bridgend casting votes on Norris' behalf.{{cite news|url=https://www.theweekin.co.uk/news/politics/134520/|title=MP Dan Norris is voting on laws by proxy while banned from parliamentary estate|last=Whimperis|first=John|date=31 May 2025|work=The Week In|accessdate=31 May 2025}} At the same time, Norris has also began to submit written questions to government ministers again.

In April 2025, Norris was arrested on suspicion of rape, child sex offences, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx48gq0y77o|title=MP Dan Norris arrested on suspicion of child sex offences and rape|date=5 April 2025|work=BBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/05/labour-mp-dan-norris-arrested-suspicion-rape-child-sex1/|title=Labour MP arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences|first=Ethan|last=Croft|date=5 April 2025|work=The Telegraph}} In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: "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". He was released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/labour-suspends-mp-dan-norris-after-arrest-13342856|title=Labour MP Dan Norris arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences|date=5 April 2025|work=Sky News}} He was suspended by the Labour Party on 4 April 2025.{{cite web|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/221/career|title=Parliamentary Career of Dan Norris|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=7 April 2025}}

On 8 April 2025, it was confirmed that Norris had been banned from the Parliamentary Estate while a risk assessment was being undertaken, following the accusations made against him. Norris was also banned from entering the WECA headquarters in Bristol, and had his access to the Combined Authority's IT system deactivated. While he was also banned from attending meetings on behalf of WECA, he was not suspended as mayor because "there is no provision" under WECA's constitution for this action.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vnn790778o|title=MP banned from Weca headquarters after rape arrest|last=Boobyer|first=Leigh|date=9 April 2025|work=BBC News|accessdate=10 April 2025}}

• Violence Against Social Workers: The Implications for Practice, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1989 (with Carol Kedward). {{ISBN|978-1-85302-041-4}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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• {{Official website}}

{{UK MP links

| hansard = mr-dan-norris

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{{s-par|uk}}

{{s-bef |before=Jack Aspinwall }}

{{s-ttl |title=Member of Parliament
for Wansdyke |years=1997–2010 }}

{{s-non |reason=Constituency abolished |reason2=Equivalent seat North East Somerset
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{{s-new |constituency}}

{{s-ttl |title=Member of Parliament
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{{Labour Party UK MPs}}

{{Independent MPs in the United Kingdom}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Dan}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the University of Sussex

Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:UK MPs 1997–2001

Category:UK MPs 2001–2005

Category:UK MPs 2005–2010

Category:UK MPs 2024–present

Category:Councillors in Bristol

Category:Mayors of the West of England

Category:Labour Party (UK) mayors

Category:Politics of Bath and North East Somerset

Category:National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children people

Category:Labour Friends of Israel

Category:Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom