Police chief behind Maccabi Tel Aviv ban clings to job despite home secretary wanting him to quit

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondentJanuary 14, 2026 at 09:50 PM

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West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford is facing calls for his resignation from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following a report criticizing the force's decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a November match at Aston Villa. The report, led by Sir Andy Cooke, found the force used "exaggerated and untrue" intelligence, leading to the ban. Mahmood stated she has lost confidence in Guildford, marking the first time in 20 years a home secretary has publicly expressed this sentiment about a serving police leader. Despite the criticism and lack of confidence, Guildford is reportedly determined to remain in his position. Mahmood indicated she lacks the power to remove him but desires legal changes to allow the Home Secretary to dismiss chief constables.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gaza 30% Israel 30% Commons 35% Birmingham ×240% Aston Villa 50% Sir Andy Cooke ×260% Maccabi Tel Aviv ×270% Shabana Mahmood ×380% West Midlands police ×385% Craig Guildford ×490%

Keywords

police chief 90% west midlands police 80% intelligence failure 80% maccabi tel aviv ban 70% home secretary 70% craig guildford 60% loss of confidence 60% police leadership 50% operational independence 40%