The embattled chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, is poised to resign from his post, following intense pressure from Downing Street over his handling of the Maccabi Tel Aviv football fan ban scandal.
Government Withdraws Confidence, Forcing Chief's Hand
In a decisive move, a Downing Street spokesman confirmed the government "no longer" had confidence in Mr Guildford, effectively making his position untenable. This came after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is also a local MP, publicly withdrew her support. The development followed a mauling in the House of Commons, where West Midlands MPs, councillors, and community leaders united in calls for his resignation.
Despite defiantly returning to his office on Thursday and telling staff he would not bow to pressure, Mr Guildford spent much of the day on the phone to fellow chief constables who urged him to step down. The Mail understands he had initially hoped the scandal would "blow over" and was consulting lawyers, believing he had been unfairly treated. However, his isolation grew as the day progressed.
A Scandal of Misconduct and Misleading Statements
The crisis stems from the controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending an Aston Villa match last November. A damning report by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke revealed how police fabricated and exaggerated evidence to justify the ban. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now considering a conduct investigation based on these findings.
In a remarkable twist, it emerged that Mr Guildford still holds the national police lead role for professional standards, ethics, and misconduct, despite the government deeming him unfit for office. Furthermore, he is listed to chair a misconduct hearing for a PC accused of 'discreditable conduct' on the very day he is due to face an accountability panel himself for misleading the public over the fan ban.
Internal Gag Order Backfires as Pressure Mounts
In a desperate attempt to control the narrative, the force's leadership issued an internal edict to officers, staff associations, and unions, gagging them from commenting on the chief's fate. The directive warned it would be "inappropriate and unprofessional" to discuss his future.
This move spectacularly backfired when outraged officers leaked the document in protest, viewing it as an attempt to silence them over a scandal causing irreparable damage to the force's reputation. Local Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, the only person with the power to sack the chief, has ordered him to answer questions at a governance board on January 27.
Senior political figures expressed astonishment at his prolonged defiance. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called it "jaw-dropping" and "a stain on his character," while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it was "astonishing" he had not yet quit. With his support evaporating and his authority shattered, Craig Guildford's resignation now appears to be a matter of hours away.
