The former chief constable of West Midlands Police has been referred to the police watchdog and retired with immediate effect, following a damning report into the force's decision to ban supporters of an Israeli football club from a match in Birmingham.
Damning Report Leads to Retirement and Referral
Craig Guildford stepped down from his role leading England's second-largest police force on Friday. His retirement came just two days after the publication of a critical report by the chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke.
The report centred on the force's advice in October to Birmingham's safety advisory group. Police intelligence claimed that fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were too dangerous to attend a Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa on 6 November. The Cooke report concluded this threat was "greatly exaggerated", leaving the safety committee with "little or no option" but to impose the ban.
Following the report's findings, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated she had lost confidence in Guildford. The West Midlands police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, has now asked the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate the former chief constable for potential misconduct.
Intelligence Failures and Misleading Testimony
A source indicated the referral was based on the potentially misleading nature of the intelligence provided to the safety group. The IOPC has also been requested to examine Guildford's testimony to the Home Affairs Select Committee in December and January, to determine if his answers were deceptive.
During one hearing, Guildford admitted that part of a police dossier erroneously referenced a Maccabi match against West Ham that never occurred, blaming the mistake on information gathered using artificial intelligence.
Central to the force's defence was intelligence from Dutch police, which West Midlands Police claimed showed Maccabi fans were perpetrators of violence at a match against Ajax in Amsterdam in November 2024. However, Dutch authorities disputed this, stating the trouble involved both Israeli fans and pro-Palestinian supporters provoking each other.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The controversy erupted in a highly sensitive climate, coming a fortnight after a deadly terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. Further police intelligence suggested some local people might arm themselves if Israeli fans attended the Villa match, leading to accusations that the ban amounted to caving in to antisemitism.
Commissioner Simon Foster said: "These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands. This is unacceptable."
The IOPC has confirmed it will use its "power of initiative" to independently investigate the matter. A spokesperson said: "As questions remain about individual roles, duties and planning for the game, we have determined an independent investigation is warranted."
Scott Green, the deputy chief constable, has temporarily stepped up to lead the force. The IOPC will now decide whether to launch a formal misconduct investigation into Craig Guildford's actions.
