Damien Egan, MP for Bristol North East, recently cast a proxy vote on behalf of Dan Norris, the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, during a tightly contested parliamentary vote on legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults on 11 September. This marked the first time in several months that Mr Egan had cast a proxy vote for Mr Norris.
The vote on assisted dying was a ‘free vote’, meaning MPs were not instructed by party whips on how to vote. Both Mr Egan and Mr Norris were in support of the legislation, which ultimately was narrowly defeated by a margin of 16 votes.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party stated: “Mr Egan facilitated a proxy vote while he took part in this free vote in the House of Commons. No further such proxy votes will be facilitated.”
READ MORE: Bath Rugby Player Ratings After Convincing Win Over Harlequins
READ MORE: Young man charged with drug offences appears in court in Bath
Mr Norris has not participated in parliamentary votes in person since his arrest in April 2025 on suspicion of multiple alleged offences, including rape and sexual assault. Previously, Labour Party whips had been casting proxy votes on his behalf, but ceased doing so on 1 July 2025 following the revelation that Avon and Somerset Police had submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges. A charging decision has not yet been made.
Police investigations concern allegations of rape involving three women, sexual assault against a fourth woman, and incidents of voyeurism and upskirting affecting several women, with the alleged offences dating from the 2000s through the 2020s. Mr Norris has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as “vigorously and entirely” untrue.
Following his arrest, Mr Norris was suspended from the Labour Party and has since been barred from entering Parliament under its risk-based exclusion policy, which restricts access for MPs arrested on suspicion of violent or sexual offences.
Despite these circumstances, in February 2026 Mr Norris told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he will continue to serve his constituents as best he can, undertaking casework, submitting written questions, and voting by proxy.