Fresh evidence has emerged that directly contradicts Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's account of when she learned about a contentious decision to bar Israeli football supporters from a match in the UK. According to newly uncovered documents, Ms Mahmood was briefed on the potential ban eight days earlier than she and her allies had previously stated.
Documents Reveal Earlier Briefing
The Mail on Sunday has obtained a note sent by civil servants to the UK's football policing unit on October 8 at 5.24pm. This document states clearly: 'The West Midlands Chief [Constable Craig Guildford] briefed the Home Sec earlier that a condition of the match going ahead may be to ban away fans.'
This briefing occurred a full week before the public announcement. On October 16, Aston Villa's safety advisory team confirmed the decision to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the Europa Conference League match at Villa Park on November 6. The move triggered an immediate and significant public backlash, with critics alleging it was rooted in anti-Semitism.
Contradictory Claims and Political Fallout
At the time, allies of the Home Secretary insisted she had only discovered the ban on the evening of October 16, vowing she would do 'all she could' to reverse it. They maintained it was 'categorically untrue' that the Home Office had received any advanced warning.
The new evidence suggests Ms Mahmood raised no objection during the initial briefing. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp declared: 'The Home Secretary appears to have authorised lies to be briefed to the media in order to protect herself.' He has demanded she make an urgent statement to Parliament to clarify the timeline, suggesting Prime Minister Keir Starmer must sack her if she knowingly authorised the release of false information.
Mr Philp emphasised there was 'plenty of time to intervene' in the eight-day window between the briefing and the official confirmation. Tory MP Nick Timothy added the paper trail shows the Home Office 'did nothing at all to stop the ban,' despite later condemning its origins.
Calls for Resignations and Wider Concerns
The controversy has also ensnared West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called for his resignation, citing revelations that his force had intelligence two months before the match that certain 'elements' wanted to 'arm' themselves against the Israeli fans.
'They knew extremists were planning to attack Jews for going to a football match, and their response was to blame and remove Jewish people instead... The Chief Constable's position is untenable,' Ms Badenoch stated.
The revelations follow warnings from Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about the risk of ceding control to Islamists. A Home Office spokesman responded: 'The Government has been clear that we disagree with the decision... That is why the Home Secretary asked the Inspectorate of Constabulary to investigate.' They added they cannot comment further until the findings are received.
