The Labour MP Dan Norris has stepped down as chair of an animal welfare charity after he was arrested on suspicion of child sex offences.

Norris, who is the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham and the Metro Mayor for West England, was taken into custody on Friday on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. 

The MP was chair of the animal welfare charity League Against Cruel Sports, but the charity confirmed that he stepped down this weekend following his arrest, with trustee Astrid Clifford taking up the post on an interim basis.

A party spokesperson said Norris has been suspended from the Labour Party. He was already due to step down from his mayoral role before next month’s local elections.

Norris has been released on conditional bail and enquiries remain ongoing.

Avon and Somerset Police said: “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. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.”

The police said that in December, they received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl.

“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 police said.

“An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.” 

The police added that the victim was being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needed.

A spokesperson for the LACS said: “We can confirm Dan Norris MP has stepped down from his role as chair of the League Against Cruel Sports, and an interim chair has been appointed from the board of trustees. 

“The charity cannot comment further while an investigation is ongoing.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “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.”

The suspension has the automatic effect of removing the Labour whip in the House of Commons, Third Sector understands.

A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said: “We are aware of the arrest of an individual who, until recently, was chair of the League Against Cruel Sports. We are assessing the matter to determine what, if any, role there might be for the Charity Commission."

Norris has been approached for comment via his mayoral office.