The former chief constable of West Midlands Police has retired with immediate effect and is now under investigation by the police watchdog, following a damning report into the force's handling of a Europa League football match.
Damning Report Leads to Swift Exit
Craig Guildford retired from his post as head of England's second-largest police force on Friday. This sudden departure came just two days after a critical report from the chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke, which prompted Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to declare she had lost confidence in him.
The report centred on the force's advice to Birmingham's safety advisory group in October. Police intelligence claimed that supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv were too dangerous to be allowed into Villa Park for a match against Aston Villa on 6 November. The Cooke report found this threat was "greatly exaggerated", leaving the safety committee with little choice but to impose the ban.
IOPC Launches Misconduct Investigation
Following the report's publication, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The watchdog has now decided to use its powers to independently investigate Guildford for potential misconduct.
Commissioner Foster stated the events had a "significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands", which he deemed unacceptable. A source indicated the referral was based on the potentially misleading nature of the intelligence provided to the safety group.
The IOPC's investigation will also scrutinise Guildford's testimony to the Home Affairs Select Committee in December and January, examining whether his answers were misleading. During one hearing, Guildford admitted that part of a force dossier erroneously referenced a non-existent match against West Ham, information he said was gathered using artificial intelligence.
Intelligence Disputed and Wider Fallout
Central to the force's defence was intelligence from Dutch police, suggesting Maccabi fans were perpetrators of violence at a match in Amsterdam. However, Dutch authorities disputed this, stating the cause of trouble was more mixed, involving both Israeli fans and pro-Palestinian supporters.
Further police intelligence emerged suggesting some local people might arm themselves if Israeli fans attended. This led to accusations that the ban amounted to caving in to antisemitism, a charge made more sensitive as it came a fortnight after a deadly terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue.
The IOPC confirmed its investigation, stating: "We have determined an independent investigation is warranted." Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green has stepped up as temporary chief constable of West Midlands Police.
