Shabana Mahmood has expressed serious doubts about the chief constable of West Midlands Police. The Home Secretary criticized a “lack of leadership” in the decision to erroneously prevent Israeli football fans from attending a match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham last November. Mahmood introduced new legislation enabling Home Secretaries to dismiss police chiefs, a power revoked by the previous Conservative government.
She mentioned that a review conducted by Chief Inspector of Policing, Sir Andy Cooke, was highly critical, leading her to lose confidence in the chief of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford. According to Mahmood, the police primarily sought evidence that supported their predetermined stance on banning the fans. Pressure has been mounting on Guildford to resign after he admitted providing incorrect information to Members of Parliament regarding the decision.
The Labour frontbencher informed fellow MPs that the responsibility for the force’s failure in handling such a critical national matter ultimately lies with the Chief Constable. Consequently, Mahmood declared her lack of confidence in the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, a rare statement made by a Home Secretary in over two decades based on Sir Andy Cook’s evidence.
The report revealed that the police exaggerated the threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans while downplaying the risks faced by Israeli fans if they had attended the match. According to Mahmood, false information was presented to MPs by Guildford, citing an “AI hallucination.” She emphasized that the force had minimal engagement with the Jewish community, particularly in Birmingham, prior to making the decision.
However, Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan criticized the decision, suggesting that Guildford was being made a scapegoat. Khan defended West Midlands Police’s reputation for collaborating with all communities, even in the face of challenges like far-right protests. Though acknowledging procedural shortcomings, Khan maintained that the decision to ban Maccabi fans was justified due to concerns about racism and violence.
Guildford has faced increasing pressure to step down following the ban. In a letter to Dame Karen Bradley, he admitted to providing misleading information to MPs, attributing the error to a Microsoft Co Pilot mistake. The decision to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the match at Villa Park was made by the local Safety Advisory Group based on police advice.
Guildford previously apologized for the misinformation, attributing it to an incorrect Google search. He admitted alongside Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara that they had provided incorrect intelligence regarding a West Ham match with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Guildford expressed regret for the error and clarified that the misinformation was unintentional.
The power to dismiss Guildford rests with West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who has pledged to conduct a thorough review of the decision-making process surrounding the ban. The Home Office stated that the Home Secretary had received the Chief Inspectorate’s report and would address it in the House of Commons later.