In a dramatic move in the House of Commons, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly declared she has lost confidence in the chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford.
A Damning Review and a Historic Statement
The announcement on 14 January 2026 follows the conclusion of a review into the force's controversial decision to recommend banning fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a match at Birmingham's Villa Park. Ms Mahmood stated that the report by the Chief Inspector of Policing, Sir Andy Cook, was "damning" in its findings.
Addressing a silent chamber, the Home Secretary said, "The ultimate responsibility for the force's failure to discharge its duties on a matter of such national importance rests with the Chief Constable." She emphasised the gravity of her declaration, noting it had been over 20 years since a sitting Home Secretary last made such a statement regarding a police chief.
Mounting Pressure Over Fan Ban and Intelligence Failures
The crisis centres on the local Safety Advisory Group's (SAG) move to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the match, a decision based on safety advice from West Midlands Police. Ms Mahmood accused the force of having "sought only the evidence to support their desired position to ban the fans."
Pressure on Mr Guildford had been building for weeks, exacerbated by an admission that he gave incorrect information to the Home Affairs Select Committee. In a letter to committee chair Dame Karen Bradley, the chief constable apologised for wrongly claiming that a previous West Ham match with Maccabi Tel Aviv had been identified via a simple Google search.
Mr Guildford and Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara had both provided this erroneous intelligence. The police chief insisted the mistake was honest and there was "no intention to mislead the Committee." This followed a committee hearing on 6 January where Mr Guildford also denied the force used artificial intelligence in its processes.
What Happens Next for West Midlands Police?
The immediate power to dismiss the chief constable lies not with the Home Secretary but with the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster. Mr Foster has stated he will formally review all evidence concerning the decision-making around the ban before taking any action.
According to reports, Sir Andy Cooke's review will outline a series of errors by West Midlands Police in how it gathered and handled intelligence. This episode represents a significant leadership crisis for one of the UK's largest police forces, casting a shadow over its operational decision-making and public accountability.
The Home Office confirmed the Home Secretary received the Chief Inspector's findings and would consider them before addressing the Commons. The situation leaves the future of Chief Constable Craig Guildford hanging in the balance as the political and procedural fallout continues.
