The police watchdog for England and Wales is weighing up whether to use its special powers to launch a formal investigation into West Midlands Police's most senior officer. This comes after a scathing official report criticised the force's decision to prevent Israeli football fans from attending a match in Birmingham last year.
Mounting Pressure for Resignation
Chief Constable Craig Guildford remains in his post, despite intense political pressure for him to step down. The report by Sir Andy Cooke, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, found the force relied on "exaggerated" intelligence to justify banning supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Home Secretary has stated she has lost confidence in Mr Guildford.
The controversy deepened when Guildford defended the decision before MPs on the Home Affairs Committee. Sir Andy's report concluded that the force subsequently made "misleading" statements about the incident. A source indicated that these statements to MPs could form the basis for a misconduct inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), focusing on a potential breach of honesty and integrity standards.
Watchdog's Next Move
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed they are carefully reviewing the inspectorate's findings. "We are prepared to use that power if it would be appropriate to do so," the spokesperson said, referring to their ability to 'call in' matters without waiting for a formal referral from the force. The watchdog is currently seeking to understand why the local authorities have not yet made a referral themselves.
Under current law, only Simon Foster, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, has the power to initiate the process to remove the Chief Constable. Mr Foster has notably declined to express confidence in Guildford. Sources suggest the PCC is waiting for a public scrutiny session scheduled for 27 January, alongside further reports, before deciding on any action.
Political Fury and Legal Complexities
Senior Cabinet ministers from across the political spectrum have voiced outrage. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it was "astonishing" Guildford remains in post, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the situation "absolutely outrageous" and "jaw-dropping." Conservative PCC Lisa Townsend stated that after misleading MPs, Guildford's position was "untenable."
Any move by the PCC to force Guildford out is likely to face legal challenges. The Chief Constable has already consulted lawyers, and the interim nature of Sir Andy Cooke's report may complicate using it as definitive grounds for dismissal. The final decision now rests on a complex interplay between political pressure, procedural rules, and potential judicial review.
