West Midlands Police chief retires over Israeli fans ban row

The West Midlands Police chief has retired following harsh criticism over the decision to ban Israeli fans from a match against Aston Villa.

Craig Guildford’s retirement was confirmed on Friday after both Downing Street and the home secretary said this week they had lost confidence in his leadership.

He faced numerous calls to resign after apologizing for providing false evidence to MPs; these included a denial that artificial intelligence was used in a report that led to the decision on November 6 to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the game.

Announcing his retirement, Guildford, 52, did not apologize and blamed what he described as “political and media frenzy” for his decision to resign.

“I have carefully considered my position and have concluded that retirement is in the best interests of the organization, myself and my family,” he said.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve as chief constable of West Midlands Police.”

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster told reporters he welcomed the decision and was “delighted that this outcome has been achieved”.

“This avoided a complex procedure that could have otherwise caused significant distraction, impact and cost for West Midlands Police and the wider West Midlands,” he added.

Foster said he was pleased that the outcome was reached “with due process and law in mind.”

“It was important that this matter be resolved in a balanced, calm, fair, measured and respectful manner.”

The reaction comes after a preliminary investigation by the police watchdog found that “confirmation bias” influenced the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending Villa Park.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke said the report given by West Midlands Police to Birmingham’s security advisory group contained several “inaccuracies”, including a reference to a non-existent link between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham.

Guildford initially suggested in evidence to MPs that the erroneous information had been identified in a Google search or via social media, but in a letter to the Home Affairs Committee (HAC) published on Wednesday he said it was the result of the use of Microsoft Copilot, an artificial intelligence tool.

Sir Andy also said the extent to which disorder in the previous match in Amsterdam could have been caused by Maccabi fans had been “exaggerated”.

Other criticisms included an exaggeration of the number of Dutch police officers deployed during this fixture.

It also found that the force’s advice exaggerated the threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans while underestimating the risks to Israeli fans.

In its response to criticism, West Midlands Police said it was “extremely sorry” for the errors, adding: “None of these were made for the purpose of deliberate distortion or discrimination.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Guildford had done “the right thing” by retiring.

“The chief inspector’s findings were appalling,” the Birmingham Ladywood MP said. “They have produced a catalog of failures that have damaged confidence in West Midlands Police.”

He thanked him for his years of service and praised the work of police officers who “keep their communities safe every day.”

“Today is a crucial first step in rebuilding trust and confidence in the force among all the communities they serve,” he added.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism also called for Foster to resign.

In a statement, chief executive Gideon Falter accused West Midlands Police of “lying and confusing, victim-blaming Jews rather than confronting the Islamists”.

“The retirement of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, following his pathetic failure to remove him, must result in Mr Foster also resigning,” he said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it would continue to review the force’s actions following Guildford’s retirement.

Director-General Rachel Watson said a “large body of evidence” had been examined and they would consider whether any independent investigation needed to be carried out.

“If this is the case, we have said that we are prepared to use our initiative powers to conduct independent investigations in the absence of official guidance,” he added.

Independent MP Ayoub Khan, whose Birmingham Perry Barr constituency includes Villa Park where the match was played, said Guildford’s retirement was a “dark and shameful period”.

When the decision was made to ban Maccabi fans in November, Khan backed plans to cancel or move the match.

He also repeatedly called for the police chief to remain in office.

“We have all witnessed one of the greatest injustices of our time,” he added.

“A police chief was sacrificed for doing his job, not for gross misconduct in public office.”

Echoing comments he made in the House of Commons on Wednesday, he said Guildford had been “thrown under the bus for not complying with political pressure”.

Guildford first became a police officer in 1994 and has served as chief executive of West Midlands Police since 2022.

He has made several achievements during his three years at the helm of the force, including improving 999 calls and recording a 6% drop in crime by October 2025.

Foster said deputy chief constable Scott Green had been appointed acting chief constable as the force sought to “rebuild trust and confidence” in the West Midlands.

Police confirmed Green appointed Jen Mattinson as deputy chief constable.