Labour MP Dan Norris - who was recently arrested over alleged child sex offences - has been accused of bullying and harassment by employees in a separate incident.
Details of accusations made against Norris in his role as Mayor have been uncovered, according to The Telegraph.
Over recent years, the authority reportedly paid thousands of pounds in taxpayers’ money to pay off former staff members.
This emerged after the MP was arrested on Friday on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
Dan Norris, 65, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences
GETTYNorris, 65, was quizzed by officers over claims of historic sexual attacks on a girl and a rape allegation from the 2020s.
Avon & Somerset Police also confirmed that the North East Somerset & Hanham MP had been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
In a statement, the force said: “In December 2024, we 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.”
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A West of England Combined Authority (Weca) spokesman said: “We are aware of Avon & Somerset Police statement but are unable to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
Labour also confirmed Norris, who is also seeing out his final days as West of England's mayor, was immediately suspended after Southside had been informed of his arrest.
A Labour Party spokesman 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.”
Since defeating Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg in the general election, Norris has sparked controversy by retaining his role as mayor, effectively drawing two salaries from the public purse, amounting to nearly £180,000.
Labour confirmed Norris was immediately suspended after Southside had been informed of his arrest
PAThe Telegraph has now obtained documents outlining allegations regarding his conduct at the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), which he oversees as mayor.
The documents include a “proposal regarding a culture review”, after complaints were raised against the Mayor for harassment, bullying and constructive dismissal.
A staff survey was also revealed to have raised concerns about needing to “protect officers from the mayor”.
One union boss claimed there had been an “unprecedented level of turnover” within some teams because of Norris’s “actions and decisions”.
An independent report by auditors Grant Thornton raised concerns about the severance payment to a former chief executive and the allocation of £10,000 for a bus advertisement.
The report highlighted that the circumstances surrounding the £219,000 severance payment to Dr. Patricia Greer involved “instances of sub-optimal interaction” between Weca officers and the mayor.
It also mentioned that several senior employees who had left Weca since Norris was elected in 2021 cited “dissatisfaction with the quality of interaction” with him and his office.
The report added: “Whilst the mayor is entitled to fulfil their role in a style that they choose, they need to ensure that this does not fall short of applicable standards of conduct and does not expose the combined authority to a disproportionate level of financial, legal or reputational risk.”
It concluded the payoff to Dr Greer was dealt with properly.
However, it also noted that a bus ad featuring the mayor and his dog has been found to be unlawful by Weca officers.
It was found to be in breach of guidance on “use of public funding for personal political benefit” in 2023.
Labour appeared to know about the issues at Weca, as a warning over governance and value for money was sent in March 2024 related to he “poor state of professional relationships” between Norris and other members of the authority.
The report noted that a bus ad featuring the Mayor and his dog has been found to be unlawful by Weca officers
PAHowever, only two months after the publishing of the Best Value Notice, the party announced that Norris would run against Rees-Mogg.
The documents have been submitted to an employment tribunal and will also be presented in the High Court, where Norris is facing a separate lawsuit for harassment and bullying in his capacity as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sport, the Telegraph reports.
It is believed that these documents will serve as evidence of a pattern of behaviour by the Labour MP.
He is currently on conditional bail pending further inquiries into the allegations of sexual offences.
