A Tory MP has claimed West Midlands Police was “pushed into Islamist pressure” after Israeli football fans were banned from attending a Birmingham game last November.
Nick Timothy has called for the resignation of the force’s Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, echoing similar demands from several MPs, including his party leader, Kemi Badenoch.
West Midlands Police has come under fire after a Home Affairs Select Committee questioned senior officers over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa.
So far, the force has insisted the decision was made on safety grounds, citing supporters’ past behaviour, including a 2024 Europa League clash with Ajax.
The force has also rejected claims that they were searching for a reason to ban the Jewish fans for a match against Aston Villa.
Speaking to Martin Daubney about the controversial ban, the MP for West Suffolk emphasised it was more than “just a football match”.
Mr Timothy said: “This matters because it’s vital that in a free society, a liberal democracy, that the police do their jobs without fear or favour.
“That’s what the policing oath demands.
Nick Timothy called for the resignation of the Chief Constable
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GB NEWS
“And we also need to know in different parts of our country, in this very modern, multicultural country, that we are now, who holds the power.
“Because what I think is now beyond doubt is the police were pushed into this position through fear and through political pressure from Islamists, and that is obviously completely wrong.”
Martin weighed in, adding: “What happened was we had a situation, and it came out in the evidence yesterday, that Israeli fans, Jews, were too afraid to travel to Britain because some of the local Muslim community said they prepared to turn up armed.
“It’s not a football story. It’s a story which I think brings great shame on the United Kingdom.”
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In a testing appearance before MPs yesterday, the force’s most senior figures attempted to justify the decision, which sparked political uproar.
Sir Keir Starmer was among those to tear into the move, adding he was “angered by the decision” over the fixture.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara insisted the decision was rooted in safety concerns and claimed “there was no conspiracy”.
Additionally, new information came to light which revealed local Birmingham communities might have armed themselves against Jews attending the anticipated game.
Echoing Mr Timothy’s criticism of the force, Kemi Badenoch said: “Police capitulated to Islamists and then collaborated with them to cover it up.
“They knew extremists were planning to attack Jews for going to a football match, and their response was to blame and remove Jewish people instead.
“They presented an inversion of reality and misled a Parliamentary Committee. We have had enough of this in Britain.
“The Chief Constable’s position is untenable. The British Police serve the British public, not local sectarian interests.”