The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, could be removed from his post as early as this week. His fate hinges on a report into the controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match last November.
Mounting Pressure and Accusations of Misleading Information
Senior Conservative figures, including party leader Kemi Badenoch, are demanding Guildford's dismissal. They accuse the force of having "capitulated to Islamists" in its handling of the Europa League fixture at Villa Park on November 6. The controversy centres on claims that police used false intelligence about Israeli fan hooliganism to justify the ban while allegedly concealing warnings of a potential threat from within Birmingham's Muslim community.
Internal police logs, obtained by The Telegraph, reveal officers recorded groups of 'Asian youths looking for a fight' heading towards the stadium hours before the game. This occurred around the same time a senior officer, Ch Supt Tom Joyce, publicly stated the ban was taken 'exclusively' due to concerns about Maccabi supporters. The force has maintained this position, despite the ban being announced following a vocal campaign by pro-Gaza activists, including independent MP Ayoub Khan.
Investigation Findings to be Presented
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is expected to receive an expedited report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary this week. Chief Inspector Sir Andy Cooke was tasked by the Home Office to investigate how the decision was reached. The full findings are due later this year, but a summary will be presented to Parliament imminently.
Pressure intensified last week when Guildford was forced to apologise for misleading MPs. He initially told Parliament the ban was supported by the Jewish community, a claim later proven incorrect. Furthermore, released documents showed the force was warned that some locals planned to 'arm' themselves if the Israeli fans attended—intelligence Guildford has been accused of 'hiding'.
Broolitical and Community Links Under Scrutiny
The scandal has widened with revelations about the appointment process for the chief constable. According to reports, a representative from Birmingham's Green Lane Mosque—which publicly supported the fan ban—was involved in the panel that appointed Guildford three years ago. The mosque has been controversial for sermons expressing views on domestic discipline, which it claims were taken out of context.
Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, defended the appointment process as "extensive and wide-ranging," noting the mosque's chief executive was one of 53 people involved.
A Home Office spokeswoman reiterated the government's disapproval of the ban, stating: "We should not be a country where we tell people to stay away from certain events because we cannot protect them, or they may be a victim of racism." The force declined to comment on the leaked police logs. With the report's delivery imminent, Craig Guildford's future as chief constable now hangs in the balance.
