Police chief referred to watchdog days after retiring over Maccabi ban scandal
Craig Guildford retired from the role on Friday but will still face a misconduct probe by the the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
The retired chief constable of West Midlands Police will face a misconduct probe in the wake of the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban scandal.
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Craig Guildford's retirement was announced on Friday days after he admitted to misleading MPs after his force used Artificial Intelligence (AI) that "invented" a fictitious match that never actually took place.
On Monday, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who declined to sack Mr Guildford despite having the power to, confirmed he has now referred him to the police watchdog.
An official inquiry found the former boss used details of the fake match to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the match against Aston Villa in November.
The announcement means he is entitled to a full pension after 32 years of service, instead of being sacked as many had called for.
The IOPC said: "We have decided to use our power of initiative to call in the matter and independently investigate to determine if any officer or staff member may have a case to answer for misconduct.
"We have examined a wealth of evidence relating to the force’s planning for the match at Aston Villa on November 6 last year.
"As questions remain about individual roles, duties and planning for the game, we have determined an independent investigation is warranted."
IOPC director general Rachel Watson said: "In the last 24 hours we’ve received new information from West Midlands Police around their initial assessment of any potential misconduct.
"We have also requested more evidence from HMICFRS (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services).
"There are many unanswered questions and it’s right for accountability and public confidence for us to independently investigate."
Ms Watson said that their investigation will examine briefings and intelligence report provided to the safety advisory group (SAG) which underpinned the decision to ban supporters for the match.
She added: "In addition, today we have also received a voluntary conduct referral from West Midlands Police relating to one senior police officer and a staff member over the force's use of AI.
"This will form part of our independent investigation to provide the full picture to understand what happened."
Speaking to LBC last week, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said what the police chief did was "appalling", describing the situation as a "pack of lies from start to finish."
He said that if Mr Foster failed to do so, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood "should use her powers to direct to compel the Police and Crime Commissioner" to sack him.
Conservative MP Nick Timothy said Simon Foster, had been "missing in action" and should "do his job."
Acting chief constable for the force, Scott Green, said: "I am committed to West Midlands Police learning from these events, but most importantly, taking immediate action focused on repairing the damage we have caused which has resulted in the loss of the confidence individuals and communities have in us.
"The public losing confidence in policing, undermines the core principles of British policing. We will work tirelessly to restore that trust, ensuring that we police without fear or favour."
Mr Green said acting Deputy Chief Constable Jen Mattinson had been asked to undertake a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to any recordable conduct matters by senior officers in West Midlands Police in relation to these events.