The former chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, could still be subjected to a formal conduct investigation by the police watchdog, despite announcing his immediate retirement on Friday, 16 January 2026.
Retirement Amid 'Political and Media Frenzy'
Craig Guildford, 52, stepped down from his role as head of the force with immediate effect. The decision came after mounting pressure for him to resign over the controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a Europa League match at Aston Villa's Villa Park on 6 November.
In a statement, Mr Guildford said his position had become untenable, claiming a "political and media frenzy" around him was damaging the work of his officers. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who had the power to dismiss the chief constable but chose not to, announced the retirement. Mr Guildford is expected to receive his full pension.
Watchdog Investigation to Continue
Despite his departure from the force, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has signalled it will press ahead with its assessment. IOPC Director General Rachel Watson stated clearly that their interest in the actions of former chief constable Guildford and other officers involved does not end with his retirement.
Ms Watson confirmed the watchdog would examine all evidence to decide if a full independent conduct investigation is warranted, prepared to use its powers of initiative if necessary.
The controversy stems from a safety advisory group's decision, based on police advice, to bar the Israeli club's supporters from the match. A subsequent review by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke, ordered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, found eight serious inaccuracies in the police report provided to the advisory group.
A Catalogue of Failings and Political Fallout
The review's findings were described as "damning" by the Home Secretary, who said she had lost confidence in Mr Guildford. It cited a "failure of leadership" and "confirmation bias" within the force. Among the inaccuracies was a reference to a non-existent match between Tel Aviv and West Ham, later identified as an "AI hallucination" generated by Microsoft Copilot.
While the review found no evidence antisemitism influenced the decision, it highlighted an "imbalance" in the information used. Other errors included overstating police deployments in Amsterdam and unfounded claims linking fans to the Israeli Defence Forces.
PCC Simon Foster, speaking outside Birmingham police headquarters, welcomed the retirement as an honourable outcome that avoided a complex disciplinary process. However, he faced criticism for not dismissing the chief constable. The Campaign Against Antisemitism called for Mr Foster's resignation, while Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp labelled the Labour PCC "too weak to act."
Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green has been appointed as Acting Chief Constable as the force seeks to rebuild public trust. The episode continues to raise significant questions about accountability, oversight, and the use of information in policing decisions.
