The Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, has launched a scathing attack on police forces, claiming there is a 'more systemic problem' within the police and other state bodies when it comes to confronting Muslim extremism.
Banning Fans and 'Capitulating' to Threats
His comments follow the intense controversy surrounding West Midlands Police's decision to ban fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa Conference League match at Aston Villa's Villa Park last November. Mr Philp, the Conservative MP for Croydon South, directly criticised the force for its handling of the situation.
He alleged that instead of protecting the fans and investigating 'threats of violence' from extremist elements within Birmingham's Muslim community, the police chose to 'appease' them by banning the supporters. He went further, accusing the force of 'fabricating and making up evidence' to justify the ban, falsely blaming the Maccabi fans themselves.
Mounting Pressure and Chief's Resignation
The political storm contributed to mounting pressure on West Midlands Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, who stepped down with immediate effect on Friday. His resignation came after a damning review by the policing watchdog, ordered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, found serious failures.
The review highlighted eight inaccuracies in the police report used to justify the fan ban. These included a reference to a non-existent match, generated by an 'AI hallucination' from Microsoft Copilot, and overstating police deployments in Amsterdam. Home Secretary Mahmood stated she had lost confidence in Mr Guildford, describing the review as 'devastating'.
A Wider Pattern of Intimidation
Mr Philp linked the football scandal to a broader pattern of intimidation, citing the experience of former Labour MP Kate Hollern. He recounted how she suffered 'severe harassment and intimidation' from pro-Gaza supporters during the 2024 election campaign in Blackburn, to the extent she felt unable to have family at her home.
Ms Hollern recently revealed she was told she was 'going to be beheaded' and faced nightly intimidation from taxis sitting outside her house. For Mr Philp, this and the Maccabi case suggest a systemic failure of state organs to stand up to such coercion.
'This example in the West Midlands shows that instead of standing up to that kind of intimidation the police capitulated to it,' he stated.
Calls for Accountability and Investigation
Despite Chief Constable Guildford's retirement, Mr Philp has called for a full investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). He demanded scrutiny not only of Mr Guildford but also of Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara and other senior officers, insisting there must be 'personal accountability' for what he termed 'more than incompetence'.
The IOPC has confirmed its investigation will continue, with Director General Rachel Watson stating their interest in the officers' actions 'does not end' with the chief's departure.
Mr Philp's warnings echo those of his former colleague, Robert Jenrick, who last weekend argued the UK faced 'the fight of our generation' against Islamic extremism and claimed police were giving in because it was 'too challenging to confront them'.
