Outside Edge

Mahatma Gandhi is losing ground in the Leicester statue debate, according to the latest Downing Street e-petition figures. Leicester MP Keith Vaz's petition advocating such a sculpture currently has 581 signatories, but a counter-petition has racked up 861 supporters, including some who feel local lad Gary Lineker is worthier of the honour. Difficult one: Gandhi probably did a bit more for world peace, but Gary's record of never once being sent off in a gazillion games does show admirable pacifist tendencies. Other petitions: "Give Kevin Keegan a knighthood" (8 signatures); "Give the 2012 Olym-pics back to Paris (5); "Reopen Sunderland ice rink" (1). Vote early, vote often at petitions.pm.gov.uk

£250

Price paid at auction for 49-year-old pink knickers, the only unworn (we think) pair of a set of 12 made by Nottingham hosier Frank Chambers. The other 11 were presented to the Forest team for their wives before Forest's 2-1 FA Cup win over Luton in 1959.

Spoilsport of the week

you've just won the Scottish Third Division by establishing an unassailable 24-point lead. Time to break out the bubbly, you'd think. But when East Fife did so last weekend at East Stirlingshire's Firs Park, in stepped Chief Inspector Audrey Mcleod, because the law states that glass containers are not allowed inside sporting grounds. It was also "a health and safety issue", she claimed, threatening arrests if the bottles weren't removed immediately. Next week: police halt football match because ball is "too hard".

Good week for

Darrell Hair, Australian umpire, reinstated on the ICC elite panel... Andrew Flintoff, took 2 for 9 in five overs in first competitive bowling outing for six months... Reading hockey club, crowned national champions for second year running... and Shane Williams, Wales rugby union wing, named player of the Six Nations.

Bad week for

Eddie O'Sullivan, resigned as Ireland's rugby union coach after a disastrous Six Nations... Mike Tindall, England rugby union player, and Norwich City midfielder Matty Pattison, arrested on suspicion of drink-driving... Alberto Contador, the 2007 Tour de France winner, whose Astana team have not been invited this year... and John McCririck, betting expert, lost 25 per cent of his TV work.

Chinese puzzle of the week

Are you sitting comfortably? You might not be if you plan to visit the Beijing Olympics. It transpires that the 30-plus venues were all built with Chinese-style squat toilets, but after protests from foreign competitors participating in test events, the organisers are busy ripping these out and replacing them with the seated variety. But while Yao Hui, the official in charge, says he is doing his best, he cannot guarantee 100 per cent replacement by August. Let's hope he is not merely going through the motions, and that, as they have done elsewhere, the Chinese do not instead claim squatter's rights.

s.redfern@independent.co.uk