Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, said officers working in the town had complained to him that policies aimed at boosting diversity and inclusion were undermining their work.

The MP raised the concerns at a Westminster meeting of the public accounts committee, of which he is a member.

The committee has been exploring the spread of DEI, or EDI (diversity, equality and inclusion) policies in the public sector.

Rupert Lowe, speaking at a parliamentary committee (Image: Parliament TV)

"A lot of policemen are coming to me in my constituency in Great Yarmouth," he said.

"These are operational policemen who are very frustrated by this DEI nonsense."

He added: "They come to see me because they are being made less efficient by the 'cant' that is coming from the top of the police force which clearly is coming from somewhere."

DEI schemes have become increasingly controversial in recent years.

They are designed to improve outcomes for specific racial and identity-based groups, for instance through recruitment policies and the creation of 'diversity networks' for staff.

Critics say the policies are self-defeating and divisive and do more to create a source of resentment than positive change.

DEI schemes have also been attacked for promoting unproven claims on gender.

Public sector organisations including police forces are spending millions of pounds on DEI officers to promote the policies.

Norfolk police currently employ three DEI officers, but the force has declined to........

© Eastern Daily Press