The official responsible for deciding the future of West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford has launched a fierce attack on MPs, accusing them of bias for allegedly prejudging the outcome of an inquiry into the controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
PCC Condemns 'Irresponsible' Conduct of MPs
Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has criticised members of the Home Affairs Select Committee. He claims they have been briefing journalists that Mr Guildford should be removed from his post, despite their investigation into the November 2023 incident still being ongoing.
Foster stated that an official from the committee has apologised after some MPs were reported to have already decided the guilt of the chief constable and his force, even though all evidence has not yet been heard. The PCC labelled the alleged statements from the MPs as "irresponsible and reckless".
In a strongly-worded statement, Foster's office said: "This is deeply regrettable and a matter of the utmost seriousness, that risks compromising and undermining public trust and confidence in the integrity of the [committee] and its forthcoming report."
The Controversial Ban and Pending Reports
The controversy centres on the decision to prevent supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham last November. West Midlands Police concluded there was a high risk of violence, an assessment that has been strongly disputed. The force denies it reached its conclusions to appease extremists or that it caved into antisemitism.
Two critical reports are now awaited. The Home Affairs Committee report is expected in the coming weeks. More imminently, findings from an inquiry ordered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood are due. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has been examining how the force handled the intelligence used to justify the ban.
Ms Mahmood will receive the HMIC report and must then decide whether she retains confidence in Chief Constable Guildford. However, her aides acknowledge she lacks the direct power to sack him; that legal authority rests solely with PCC Simon Foster.
Calls for Apologies and a 'Chilling Effect' Warning
Simon Foster has demanded that the MPs involved be named and removed from influencing the committee's final report. He has also called for a public apology from the committee chair and for the concerned MPs to refer themselves to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Meanwhile, Ayoub Khan, the Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, has defended Craig Guildford. He argued the chief constable was being made a "scapegoat" and "thrown under the bus". Mr Khan revealed that the Home Office was aware of the decision to ban the fans before it was publicly announced.
"To all of a sudden seek the removal of the chief constable when you know the highest echelons not only were within the knowledge, but actually supported the decision even by acquiescence, I think it's disingenuous," Khan stated. He warned that sacking the police chief would have a "chilling effect" and that the situation was being seen by many as a "witch-hunt".
Sources indicate that PCC Simon Foster maintains an open mind regarding Mr Guildford's fate. He intends to consider the findings of both the HMIC and the Home Affairs Committee before making his final decision on the chief constable, whom he has previously praised for cutting crime and improving the force.
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Committee declined to comment on the allegations.
