Commissioner says he had ‘no legal power’ to sack police chief over Maccabi Tel Aviv ban | Police
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has pushed back against misconceptions about his authority to dismiss Chief Constable Craig Guildford following a controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a Europa League match. Foster highlighted that the situation is not akin to a reality TV show, clarifying that there is no immediate legal power for him to terminate a chief constable’s contract without following specific procedures.
The controversy erupted after an inquiry revealed that West Midlands Police had exaggerated intelligence claims to justify prohibiting Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the match against Aston Villa. The Home Secretary subsequently expressed a loss of confidence in Guildford, prompting calls for his removal. Despite the pressure, Guildford remained in his position for two days until he announced his retirement.
Foster explained that he initiated the legal process to potentially dismiss Guildford on January 15, coinciding with the release of a preliminary report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of the Constabulary (HMIC). At a board meeting, he clarified the legal complexities involved, noting that his actions must align with the law and involve consultations with both HMIC and the police and crime panel. He emphasized that misunderstandings about his authority have created a “degree of fiction” regarding the dismissal process.
Furthermore, Foster called for an investigation into Guildford’s role in the fan ban shortly after Guildford’s retirement was announced. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting an independent investigation to assess whether any officer or staff member influenced the decision improperly.
Originally, a Conservative government had granted police and crime commissioners the authority to appoint and dismiss chief constables. However, there are now proposals to revert this power back to the Home Office.
Amid calls for his resignation due to perceived inadequacies in responding to the HMIC report, Foster has asserted his commitment to holding West Midlands Police accountable. The ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, enacted by the council-led Security Advisory Group, spurred significant backlash, with figures like Keir Starmer denouncing it as “wrong” and likening it to antisemitism.
Further investigations disclosed that West Midlands Police did not consult the local Jewish community prior to enacting the ban, and a fraudulent intelligence report that cited a false match involving a nonexistent game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham raised questions about the decision-making processes.
During the recent board meeting, the acting chief constable, Scott Green, admitted that the police had “overstated” intelligence reports and acknowledged deficiencies in record-keeping. He extended a heartfelt apology to the public, admitting that the police’s defense against criticisms had been overly reactive. Green refrained from commenting on several issues due to the ongoing investigations but vowed to rebuild trust within local communities. Changes were promised, including initiatives for antisemitism training among police officers and a review of the use of artificial intelligence in decision-making.
Looking ahead, a report from the Home Affairs Select Committee is expected in February, and the full report from HMIC is due in the summer, which will gauge the repercussions of the ban and outline further steps the police will take to address the issues raised.
