Overview
- Craig Guildford told MPs in a letter that Microsoft Copilot generated a fictitious West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv match cited in police intelligence, retracting an earlier claim it stemmed from Google searches.
- He issued a ‘profound apology’ to the Home Affairs Committee for the erroneous evidence and said there was no intention to mislead Parliament.
- His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has delivered its findings to the Home Secretary, who plans a statement to the Commons later today and is considering next steps.
- West Midlands Police had intelligence from early September that local individuals planned to arm themselves and target Israeli supporters, which Jonathan Hall KC says warranted a hate-crime investigation for stirring up racial hatred.
- The Birmingham Safety Advisory Group barred travelling Maccabi fans on WMP advice, while separate disputed claims about prior incidents in Amsterdam and the force’s evidence vetting continue to fuel calls for Guildford’s removal.