A high profile former detective who led the investigation to catch Levi Bellfield, the murderer of Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, Sutton comfortably won the election to become Norfolk’s commissioner two months ago.
A regular on TV documentaries, he has previously carried out a long national theatre tour talking about his career.
Last week, promoters announced his follow-up series of shows would take place next year and Sutton initially said it “wouldn’t impinge” on his day job.
But on Tuesday, he admitted to the BBC that he was considering cancelling the tour and on Wednesday he told councillors he had now scrapped it.
“What surprised me and what made me reflect and think again was the reaction that I got personally from a number of residents,” he told North Norfolk District Council’s scrutiny committee.
“I’m not sure I could do 127 dates because it was ridiculous, but I could have done some. What I don’t want to do is to give the impression to anybody that I don’t take this role seriously and I’m not going to do a good job on this.
“So that’s why my decision has been: OK, I’m not legally obliged to do this, I’m not going to do it.”
