West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has vowed he will not immediately sack the force's Chief Constable, despite mounting political pressure following a damning report into the controversial ban on Israeli away fans.
PCC Stands Firm Amid Mounting Pressure
In a statement issued at 4:15pm on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, Mr Foster rejected multiple calls for the swift removal of Chief Constable Craig Guildford. The pressure intensified after the publication of an interim report by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Andy Cook, which criticised the force's handling of the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match on 6 November 2025.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons she had "no confidence" in Mr Guildford, labelling the watchdog's findings "devastating" and "damning". However, she confirmed that the legal power to dismiss the Chief Constable rests solely with the elected Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster.
Due Process Over Immediate Action
Mr Foster stated he would not act until he had fully reviewed the report and questioned the Chief Constable at a public meeting of his Accountability and Governance Board on Tuesday 27 January 2026. He emphasised his statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable to account and the need for "due process and the law".
The Commissioner acknowledged the "significant strength of feeling" on the issue but stressed that Sir Andy Cook's letter contained preliminary views that could "develop or change". He also stated he awaited the final HMICFRS report and the findings of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
Politicians from multiple parties, including West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton, and local MPs, have declared the Chief Constable's position untenable. The Home Secretary also revealed that new statutory powers are being introduced to return the power of dismissal to future Home Secretaries.
Report Highlights "Confirmation Bias" and Failings
The police watchdog's urgent report found that West Midlands Police used "confirmation bias" to justify the ban. It concluded the force overstated the threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans while understating risks to those fans if they travelled.
Key failings identified include:
- Consulting with Muslim communities and mosques but not with Jewish community leaders before the decision.
- Providing "misleading" claims to the Home Affairs Committee.
- Producing documents with multiple errors.
- Relying on "exaggerated or untrue" reports of violence by Israeli fans at a previous match in Amsterdam.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford is reported to be "digging in" and has sought legal advice regarding his position. West Midlands Police has yet to issue a formal comment on the report's findings.
