West Midlands chief constable Craig Guildford retires after damning report on Maccabi fan ban
West Midlands Police chief Craig Guildford retired after an inspector found the force overstated intelligence and included inaccuracies that justified banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans
Overview
Craig Guildford, chief constable of West Midlands Police, retired immediately after criticism over the force's recommendation to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match on 6 November.
A preliminary independent review found 'confirmation bias,' inaccuracies and overstated threats, including referencing a non-existent fixture and overstating the Amsterdam incident's link to Maccabi supporters.
Guildford initially told MPs AI wasn't used in the report, later saying Microsoft Copilot produced the erroneous material; he apologised for errors but did not publicly apologise upon retirement.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Downing Street said they had lost confidence; Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster welcomed Guildford's retirement to avoid protracted legal disputes.
Campaign Against Antisemitism demanded Foster's resignation, while watchdogs and the Independent Office for Police Conduct continue examining the force and may open independent conduct investigations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this coverage neutrally, emphasizing facts and official findings while including balanced quotes. They report the watchdog’s finding that the ban overstated threats, Guildford’s resignation statement, the home secretary’s condemnation, the police’s earlier risk rationale, and activist criticism—offering multiple perspectives without loaded editorial language.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The review found confirmation bias, inaccuracies, and overstated threats, including referencing a non-existent fixture and overstating the Amsterdam incident's link to Maccabi supporters.
She cited a failure of leadership that harmed the reputation of West Midlands Police and eroded public confidence, following the damning review on the fan ban decision.
The IOPC is continuing to examine evidence regarding the actions of Guildford and other officers, and may launch independent conduct investigations using its powers of initiative.
Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green has been appointed as acting chief constable of West Midlands Police.
They demanded the resignation of Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and further departures from the force's leadership implicated in the scandal.
History
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