Top cop’s position to be reviewed over fan ban

CHIEF CONSTABLE TO FACE MORE QUESTIONS AFTER MACCABI MATCH DECISION

- JANE HAYNES

Pro-Palestine protestors at the Villa Maccabi match and, inset, Chief Constable Simon Guildford, left, with Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster

WEST Midlands Chief Constable Simon Guildford is to face a review and questions from his boss over his handling of the controversial decision to ban fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from Birmingham, amid a clam-our for him to go.

Police and crime commissioner Simon Foster has promised to consider next steps and review evidence around the ban, which has been the focus of fierce interest nationally and locally. He will also call the chief constable to account for his force’s actions at a meeting later this month.

But he has rejected calls for immediate action, despite pressure from MPs, the opposition leader Kemi Bad-enoch and the Board of Deputies of British Jews for him to be axed.

The Labour politician oversees the force and has the power to appoint and sack senior leaders.