Police leaders defend position after being recalled to give further evidence in second hearing to home affairs committee
Police chiefs facing scrutiny over a decision to ban fans of an Israeli football team from attending a match in Birmingham have insisted the move was not politically influenced.
West Midlands police (WMP) leaders defended their position at the home affairs committee on Tuesday after being recalled to give further evidence over the decision to ban fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa on 6 November.
Supporters of the Israeli football team were barred from travelling to the game at Villa Park by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which cited safety concerns based on advice from the police force.
Members of the home affairs committee on Tuesday recalled West Midlands police’s chief constable Craig Guildford, and commanders involved in the decision making, greeting parts of the force’s new testimony before them with outrage.
