MPs have demanded that police give a fuller account of allegedly exaggerated intelligence that led to a decision to ban to Israeli fans from their club’s match against Aston Villa.
A report in the Sunday Times (ST) claimed West Midlands Police (WMP) had overstated the threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the match on 6 November, citing violence around a match in the Netherlands last year.
In response, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said that unless WMP had a good explanation, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should resign. Home Office minister Sarah Jones said she had written to him asking for clarity.
WMP has defended its evaluation, saying its plan was “proportionate”.