The senior official who oversaw the appointment of West Midlands Police's chief constable has issued a stark warning that the officer's job is now at serious risk. The controversy stems from the force's role in banning fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from an away match in Birmingham last year.
Controversial Decision Sparks Political Firestorm
Suky Samra, the Conservative councillor who chairs the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel, declined to explicitly call for Chief Constable Craig Guildford's dismissal. However, he acknowledged the intense pressure, stating the chief's head could be 'on the chopping block'. The panel Mr Samra leads had unanimously endorsed Mr Guildford's appointment back in 2022.
The crisis was triggered by a decision to bar travelling Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from their Europa Conference League fixture against Aston Villa at Villa Park on November 6, 2023. The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) enacted the ban based on safety advice from West Midlands Police.
Intelligence Scrutiny and Accusations of Capitulation
Last week, a cross-party Home Affairs Committee (HAC) of MPs heard explosive evidence about the intelligence behind the ban. Police testimony revealed that the initial safety concern was not based on the behaviour of Maccabi fans. Instead, it was prompted by 'high confidence intelligence' received as early as September 5, 2023, suggesting elements of the local community might want to 'arm' themselves ahead of the Israeli team's visit.
Following the hearing, senior Tory figure Kemi Badenoch accused the force of capitulating to 'Islamists'. She claimed on social media platform X that police knew extremists were planning to attack Jewish fans and responded by 'blaming and removing Jewish people instead'.
Mr Samra described the HAC evidence session as 'very unfortunate' and confirmed he is organising an emergency panel meeting to discuss the way forward. He clarified that while the panel can confirm or reject the Police and Crime Commissioner's choice of chief constable, only the Commissioner, Simon Foster, holds the power to sack him.
Imminent Inspectorate Report Could Be Decisive
All eyes are now on an imminent report by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Andy Cooke. His findings, expected to be presented to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week, will scrutinise whether the force's decision was based purely on evidence or swayed by external pressure.
Mr Samra warned that if the report finds West Midlands Police was influenced by 'pressure from community leaders', the consequences would be severe. 'It is not just (Mr Guildford's) head on the chopping block,' he stated, also referencing senior officers ACC Mike O'Hara and Chief Inspector Mick Wilkinson who gave evidence alongside the chief constable.
While the Home Secretary cannot directly dismiss Mr Guildford, she can publicly withdraw confidence and formally request that Commissioner Foster considers suspension and dismissal. Commissioner Foster has already committed to a formal review of the evidence following the HAC inquiry.
Mr Samra, who has sat on the panel since 2018, reiterated that Mr Guildford was the strongest of four candidates in 2022, praised for his 'passion for rebuilding community policing'. However, he stressed that public confidence in the leadership of the UK's second-largest police force is paramount, and a decision not grounded in evidence places the chief and his team in a deeply difficult position.
