However, Sir John Evans, who was chief constable from 1989 to 2002, added that he believed the force would make the new system work.

BBC: England

The other eight backers are retired professor Tricia David, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir John Sulston, journalist Philip Knightley, Lady Caroline Evans, friend Sarah Saunders, Joseph Farrell, Sarah Harrison and Tracy Worcester.

BBC: Julian Assange: Bail cash decision delayed

Sir Richard Evans, the boss of British Aerospace, this month attacked John Major for failing to restrain his party's Eurosceptics.

ECONOMIST: Europe