Thursday evening UK news briefing: Sarah Everard murder suspect police officer sustains head injuries in custody

Your evening briefing from the Telegraph
Your evening briefing from the Telegraph

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Everard suspect taken to hospital with head injury

Wayne Couzens sustained head injuries in custody - Kent Messenger / SWNS
Wayne Couzens sustained head injuries in custody - Kent Messenger / SWNS

The serving Metropolitan Police officer arrested on suspicion of murdering Sarah Everard has been treated in hospital for a head injury suffered while he was in custody. Wayne Couzens, 49, a married father of two from Deal in Kent, was arrested at home on Tuesday night, on suspicion of kidnapping the 33-year-old, who vanished in south London a week ago. Scotland Yard confirmed he has since been discharged from hospital and returned to a police station following treatment. He was reportedly found collapsed and unconscious in his cell today after suffering serious head wounds. Martin Evans has the latest.

It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel said "every woman should feel safe to walk our streets without fear of harassment or violence" in the wake of Miss Everard's disappearance. Boris Johnson also addressed the case. Tomé Morrissy-Swan argues that, to make women feel safer on our streets, it is time for men to change their behaviour. As the murder inquiry continues, McKenna Grant gives a moving account of how, like Sarah Everard's family, she knows the pain of searching for a missing loved one – and how her family discovered a tragic end.

Prince William hits back at Harry and Meghan claims

The Duke of Cambridge has spoken out after Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey and insisted: "We are very much not a racist family." Prince William revealed he had not yet spoken to his brother but did intend to do so. His comments came as he and the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in public for the first time since the Sussexes made a series of explosive allegations about the Royal family in a two-hour TV interview. Nick Allen details how the British monarchy has not been this unpopular in the US since burning down the White House as Madeline Grant sets out why we are all living Meghan's truth now. Yet Fashion Editor Tamara Abraham outlines how the Duchess of Cambridge's new pink outfit could carry a conciliatory message.

Amol Rajan to join BBC Radio 4's Today programme

Amol Rajan has joined the line-up of presenters of BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Rajan will join in the spring alongside current hosts Mishal Husain, Justin Webb, Martha Kearney and Nick Robinson. Rajan, who will retain his job as the BBC's Media Editor, will also host a new interview series on BBC Two and a documentary about the relationship between the media and the monarchy. Read how his addition to the Today line-up is part of the BBC's bid to refresh and modernise output.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

Brazilian variant | Four more cases of the Brazilian coronavirus variant have been identified in England. Read on for details as specialist contact tracing teams investigate. Our liveblog has the latest.

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Around the world: Voters eye Le Pen election victory

Almost half of the French see Marine Le Pen as the "probable" victor of next year's presidential elections, a new poll suggests, amid signs the "Republican front" to block the far-Right leader at all costs is crumbling. With the mainstream Right and Left in disarray in France, Ms Le Pen's National Rally party is seen as the main opposition force in next year's presidential elections, the poll found, with the far-Left in second place and the Right-wing Republicans limping far behind in third. Read more.

Thursday big-read

Boycott v Holding - The real story of the greatest over ever bowled

Boycott stares at his stumps in disbelief after being bowled by Holding for 0 - Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto
Boycott stares at his stumps in disbelief after being bowled by Holding for 0 - Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto

It is 40 years since Sir Geoffrey Boycott faced Michael Holding on a lightning-quick Barbados pitch. For the first time, the two legends recall it together

Read the full story

Comment and analysis

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Business and money briefing

High street pain | John Lewis warned of further store closures as it plunged to a mammoth £517m pre-tax loss last year due to substantial pandemic-related costs. Hit with £648m worth of exceptional costs, Ben Marlow outlines how the John Lewis as you knew it is already dead.

Sport briefing

Six Nations | Elliot Daly has been dropped to the England bench as Eddie Jones makes three changes to his starting XV against France. Charlie Morgan analyses how the changes can refresh Jones' side.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Rich sound | Alexa just won't do in the homes of high-rolling audiophiles. Ken Kessler examines the hi-fi system that costs as much as four Ferraris - and works out if it is worth it.