The decision has been made after a panel found him guilty of a ‘high level breach’ of the players’ code of conduct and has upheld the decision to sack him.

Israel posted on his Instagram account in April that read: “Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators – Hell awaits you.”

He escaped punishment for similar comments last year.

The chief executive of Rugby Australia, Raelene Castle said ‘they had no other option’.

In a statement from Israel Folau he said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to represent Australia and my home state of New South Wales, playing the game I love.

“I am deeply saddened by today’s decision to terminate my employment and I am considering my options.

“As Australians, we are born with certain rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom of expression.

“The Christian faith has always been a part of my life and I believe it is my duty as a Christian to share God’s word.

“Upholding my religious beliefs should not prevent my ability to work or play for my club and country.

“I would like to thank my wife Maria for her love and encouragement to stay true to our beliefs.

“We have been jumbled by the support we have received from family, friends, players, fans and the wider community.

“Thank you also to those who have spoken out in my defence,…

In 1919 women appeared in police uniforms for the first time at a service, also at Westminster Abbey, to remember the police officers who had died in the First World War.

To mirror this, around 2,000 serving and retired police staff attended the thanksgiving service at the Abbey to reflect on the achievements and sacrifices female officers have made since.

Twelve of the Met’s serving female officers wore replica 1919 uniforms.

The Bishop of London spoke at the service about the changes women have seen in the last century in both the church and the police force and praised the role women have played in the Met Police.

Bishop Sarah used the analogy of the body, found in 1 Corinthians to describe the church, to describe society: “In the bible, the image of the body is used for the community of the church, but it does well for the wider community. The body is made up of many parts, all are interdependent but not the same – each part has a different role to play.

“Without one part of the body, the whole suffers. The image reminds us that each part of the body needs to be motivated by charitable love, seeking the health of the body rather than one’s own glory – there is no more excellent way.

“Your role does not only contribute to the health of the Met but also the health of the community.”

A service at Westminster Abbey was also held, marking a centenary of police…

There are 97 countries which have been identified by the UK departments for Health and Social Care and that of International Development that ‘should not be actively recruited from’, including Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the number of doctors and nurses being recruited from these countries though is in breach of the NHS’s ethical rules – for example, 3,413 doctors were recruited from Pakistan betweeen 2014-2019. 

Steve Fouch from the Christian Medical Fellowship said this was happening becuase of a global shortage of medical professionals, as well as midwives and nurses, so the UK are looking elsewhere.

“So we’ve got a problem with training people and keeping people which means we are running about 10% short on all nursing vacancies across the country and, in some places, it’s a lot higher – and almost as bad as that with medical vacancies, especially for junior doctors. So, we are in quite a difficult situation at the moment.”

He continued: “If we end up with, as actually did happen, most of the nurses and doctors from Malawi were working in the UK at one stage and a significant proportion of nurses and doctors from Zimbabwe likewise, who’s going to actually staff the health care system, the hospitals, GP surgeries and everything else in those countries if we’ve taken all of their own health…

The Abuja Statement has been released 15 months after Leah Sharibu, a now 16 year old girl, was captured by Islamic extremist group Boko Haram together with one hundred and ten other school girls.

Following her refusal to convert to Islam, Leah remains in captivity.

RLP are campaigning for the Nigerian government to facilitate her release and do more to enforce the right to freedom of religion or belief for “all of Nigeria’s communities”.

Andrew Boyd of Release International, one of the members of the Partnership, says urgent action is needed to stop the increasing number of heavily armed extremist groups from killing Christians across the country.

He told Premier: “The menace is no longer just Boko Haram, but heavily armed Fulani militants.

“These are herdsmen who are armed to the teeth with AK 47 assault rifles, who’ve been carrying out attacks against largely Christian communities now in seven states of Nigeria.

“Between them, Boko Haram and Fulani militants have killed tens of thousands and they’ve driven millions from their homes. There’s a killing that’s taking place in Nigeria with impunity, and that killing has to stop.”

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The goal keeper says God’s called him to ministry back in his homeland Brazil.

Unless he’s persuaded to play for one more season, the 38 year old will lace his boots one last time for Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley when his team take on Premier League champions Manchester City.

While he has played in every round of the competition he’s not guaranteed to play in the match with Watford, who often favour their other goalkeeper Ben Foster, but Gomes will be a substitute at least.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “As a pastor, it is something more recent in my heart. I got a call from God and this is becoming more strong in my heart. God will tell me where I need to go and do it, probably in Brazil because I want to be home again, but I also want to be around the world doing it. I want to help people.

“When God puts something in your heart, like he has for me with this, it is because the time is coming. It is the right time for me to do this. Religion has always been important for me, in my heart, in my life, but it has never been on my mind like it is at the moment. I know this is what I want to do for the next bit.”

Gomes plans to couple his ministry with a career as a football agent.

In an industry often criticised for greed and selfish ambition, Gomes says he will act in way which is “good in God’s eyes”

Gomes…