Ex League head arrested for rape allegations rebuffs petition calling for his resignation

Astrid Clifford at Yerevan Zoo in Armenia — League Against Cruel Sports trustee Astrid Clifford was one of those who reappointed Dan Norris as Chair.

A West MP, and former chair of the League Against Cruel Sports, who is currently suspended from Parliament after he was arrested on suspicion of rape has rebuffed calls for him to resign. Dan Norris told a constituent, who had gathered almost 1,500 signatures calling for him to step down as their local MP, that he would continue to work as a constituency MP.

In April, Norris was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office. He has not been charged and remains on police bail under investigation, which was renewed by Avon and Somerset police recently.

Back in September, a constituent in North East Somerset and Hanham – Andrew Gray – set up an online petition which asked Mr Norris to resign as an MP. That would trigger a by-election and the election of an MP who is able to physically go to parliament.

Mr Norris responded to Mr Gray’s petition, in an email which still bore the sign-off describing himself as the ‘Labour MP for North East Somerset & Hanham’.

In reply, Mr Norris said: “I will continue to represent my constituents on a broad range of issues.