Police chief retires over Israeli fans ban row
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has retired following widespread criticism over the decision to ban Israeli fans from an Aston Villa match, amid allegations of providing incorrect evidence to MPs.
- The controversy arose after a policing watchdog found "confirmation bias" and inaccuracies in the report that led to barring Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, including misuse of AI tools and overstating security threats.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Downing Street expressed loss of confidence in Guildford's leadership, while West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster welcomed the retirement to avoid a complex procedure.
- The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Foster's resignation, accusing the force of victim-blaming, and the Independent Office for Police
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