Henry Durand

Matěj Jurasek is leaving Norwich City after 18 months marked by limited output, unusual fitness arrangements, inconsistent performances and unexplained injuries. The columnist argues that poor management and inadequate support contributed to the 22-year-old winger’s difficulties, while questioning his move from Slavia Prague to fierce rivals Sparta Prague, whose supporters immediately rejected him over old social-media posts. The column also criticizes EFL officiating after West Brom’s controversial handball goal but remains confident Norwich can benefit from similar decisions later in the season.

Norfolk Constabulary will take no further action against officers captured on a body-worn camera discussing a brothel visit, racist stop-and-search practices and plans to build a case against animal rights activist Gemma Barnes. The force said the newly reviewed footage revealed no additional conduct issues, while acknowledging that some language fell below expected standards and would be addressed through reflective practice and organisational learning. The Independent Office for Police Conduct previously recommended officer education and an apology to Barnes. Barnes disputes the force’s claim that the footage was newly available, accusing it of prioritising damage control over accountability. She is suing Norfolk Constabulary, while a separate enquiry into an alleged unlawful arrest remains ongoing.

Nigel Farage and newly elected police and crime commissioner Colin Sutton warned Norfolk Police officers not to join the Norwich Pride march in uniform after the force upheld its ban on uniformed participation, citing legal obligations to remain politically neutral. Sutton urged officers to focus on safety while off‑duty staff remain free to attend. Other emergency services have adopted differing approaches, with the regional ambulance service allowing uniformed attendance and the fire service participating through an informational stand rather than the parade.

Norfolk’s new police and crime commissioner Colin Sutton signaled plans to scale back equality, diversity and inclusion training, arguing it hinders public confidence in policing. He questioned the value of more than 100 EDI-related training resources used by Norfolk and Suffolk forces and raised concerns with chief constable Paul Sanford about their effectiveness. Critics from the Conservative Party also condemned such programs as ideologically driven and wasteful. Sutton contrasted his stance with previous commissioners and supported restrictions on police participation in Pride events, which the constabulary justified on impartiality grounds. The force stated that only a small portion of the training is mandatory and that its materials follow national policing standards.