Overview
- Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster will issue a 4 p.m. statement, the decisive step since only the PCC can remove a chief constable, and he will not take questions.
- Craig Guildford is widely reported to be set to resign or retire today, with the Guardian reported by Birmingham Live saying he is understood to be retiring on a full pension.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has withdrawn confidence and Downing Street said the government no longer has confidence, intensifying cross-party calls for Guildford to go.
- Sir Andy Cooke’s review found West Midlands Police overstated threats to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, displayed confirmation bias, made multiple errors, used AI contrary to prior denials, and twice misled Parliament.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct says it is considering a conduct investigation, a public accountability session is scheduled for January 27, and today’s statement is understood to also reference Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara’s position.