A police watchdog probe has been launched into West Midlands Police personnel over the decision to ban fans of the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a Europa League fixture against Aston Villa.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced on Monday that it would exercise its “power of initiative” to call in the matter and determine whether any officers or staff members may face misconduct proceedings.
Having reviewed substantial evidence concerning the force’s preparations for the Birmingham match on November 6 last year, the IOPC concluded that outstanding questions about individual responsibilities and match planning warranted a formal independent inquiry.
The investigation follows weeks of intense scrutiny after a review by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke identified eight inaccuracies in police intelligence reports, including AI-generated errors.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster announced on Monday that he would submit a voluntary referral to the IOPC concerning any conduct matters involving the former chief constable related to these events.
In a statement issued after meeting with the force’s acting chief and acting deputy chief constables, Mr Foster said: “These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands. This is unacceptable.
“The force know that I expect them to comply with the very highest standards of conduct at all times.”
Mr Foster added: “Continuing to hold the force to account for its actions, arising from the ban on away supporters from attending the football match on November 6 remains a top priority.”
Craig Guildford stepped down from his position on Friday amid weeks of intense scrutiny | HOUSE OF COMMONS/PA
Craig Guildford, 52, stepped down from his position on Friday following weeks of mounting pressure after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood declared she had lost confidence in his leadership.
IOPC Director General Rachel Watson outlined the scope of the inquiry, stating: “In the last 24 hours we’ve received new information from West Midlands Police around their initial assessment of any potential misconduct. We have also requested more evidence from HMICFRS.
“There are many unanswered questions and it’s right for accountability and public confidence for us to independently investigate.”
Ms Watson explained that investigators would scrutinise the briefings and intelligence reports submitted to the Safety Advisory Group that formed the basis for excluding supporters.
‘These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands. This is unacceptable,’ Mr Foster said
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PA“We will go beyond that to understand who was involved in its preparation, how information was obtained, and what checks were in place,” she said.
“It was incumbent on those preparing and delivering the report to ensure its veracity and that reasonable efforts be made to ensure it was accurate.”
Record-keeping practices and assertions that Birmingham’s Jewish community representatives had been consulted will also be investigated.
The watchdog confirmed it had also received a voluntary conduct referral on Monday from West Midlands Police relating to one senior police officer and a staff member concerning the force’s use of artificial intelligence.
Ms Watson said this referral “will form part of our independent investigation to provide the full picture to understand what happened.”
However, the watchdog noted that it had not yet received any referrals from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner directly concerning Mr Guildford.
The IOPC stated that its assessment of the former chief constable’s actions was continuing following his retirement, adding that it must await the Home Affairs Committee’s finalised report before considering any potential conduct matters arising from evidence he presented to MPs.
Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, appointed following Mr Guildford’s departure, described the failings identified by Sir Andy Cooke as “damning” in a statement on Monday.
The row started with the controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a football match in Birmingham
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GETTY“A direct impact of our actions has been a loss of trust and confidence from the public of the West Midlands and more broadly,” he said.
“More specifically, I know we have damaged our relationship with individuals and Jewish communities locally, nationally, and internationally. We have damaged our relationship with communities and many others are feeling disappointed in their police force.”
Mr Green acknowledged that the force’s response to criticism and its reaction to the Home Secretary’s parliamentary statement had been “too defensive and not acceptable”, reiterating his “unreserved apology for the damage that we have caused.”
He pledged to work tirelessly to restore trust, ensuring the force polices “without fear or favour.”