Watchdog investigates force over Israeli fan ban

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into West Midlands Police.

It follows the retirement of Chief Constable Crag Guildford over the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a match with Aston Villa.

The IOPC said it had received new information in the past 24 hours and had used its "power of initiative" to call-in the matter and independently investigate.

It will be looking at whether officers and staff have cases to answer for misconduct.

Guildford's retirement came after he admitted inaccuracies in evidence to a Commons committee, including a denial the force had used AI to research evidence including a non-existent match between the Israeli club and West Ham.

IOPC director general Rachel Watson said the watchdog had received new information in the last 24 hours from West Midlands Police around the initial assessment of any potential misconduct.

"There are many unanswered questions and it's right for accountability and public confidence for us to independently investigate," she said.

"We will now undertake a full assessment of the evidence, and gather more where necessary, to establish if any of the officers may have breached police professional standards in relation to duties and responsibilities."

She also said the IOPC had requested more evidence from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The inspectorate issued its own initial findings last week, prompting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to state she had lost confidence in Guildford.

In a statement, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon 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."

On Tuesday 27 January, Foster will also host an accountability and governance board where he will consider in public a report he has requested from West Midlands Police, as well as asking the force questions.

"I acknowledge the continuing and understandable public interest. I will continue to hold West Midlands Police to account," he said.

"That is absolute, unconditional and non-negotiable."

The commissioner has also faced calls to resign over his decision not to sack Guildford.

Before Monday's announcement, Stephen Silverman, from the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: "The police and crime commissioner prevaricated, procrastinated, refused to get rid of Mr Guildford when it was quite clear that that was the only route possible."

The campaign's chief executive, Gideon Falter, added the decision was a "pitiful failure" from Foster.

Announcing his retirement on Friday, Guildford, 52, did not offer an apology and blamed what he described as the "political and media frenzy" for his decision to step down.

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

"It has been the honour of my career serving as the chief constable of West Midlands Police."