CONSERVATIVE MPs have called for an investigation into the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, following the controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham.
Saqib Bhatti Meriden and Solihull East MP alongside Sir Andrew Mitchell Sutton Coldfeld MP, Wendy Morton Aldridge-Brownhills MP and Mike Wood Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP have written to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
In the letter to the director general of the IOPC the four express concerns about what they describe as negligent judgement and a failure of leadership by the PCC, which they say has damaged the reputation of Birmingham and undermined public confidence in policing across the West Midlands.
Ahead of the Europa League fixture between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in November, West Midlands Police supported a recommendation from the local Safety Advisory Group to ban away supporters from attending the match, citing safety concerns.
It has since emerged that the intelligence used to justify the ban was false or exaggerated.
The MPs argue that these failings have caused significant reputational harm to the region and raise serious questions about the PCC’s ability to act in the best interests of the West Midlands.
At a recent PCC Accountability and Governance Board meeting, Mr Foster acknowledged that the force must rebuild trust and ‘confront the shortcomings laid bare’ by the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
However, the MPs argue that this statement reflects an attempt to deflect responsibility onto police leadership rather than accept his own role in the failure.
While acknowledging mistakes made by senior officers within West Midlands Police, the MPs emphasise that the PCC bears responsibility for holding the Chief Constable and senior leadership to account, which he failed to do, including removing them from post where necessary.
The MPs have therefore formally requested that the IOPC investigate Mr Foster’s role in the events surrounding the ban, including why he failed to take decisive action despite clear and unequivocal evidence of failures.
Mr Bhatti said: “The PCC is elected to hold police leadership to account, ensure effective policing, and maintain public trust.
“In this case, Mr Foster has shown a profound lack of judgement and has failed to act decisively when serious shortcomings within West Midlands Police were exposed.
“Despite clear evidence that West Midlands Police had not acted in the best interests of the region, the PCC chose not to act. This raises serious questions about his leadership and his willingness to take responsibility”
A spokesperson for the Office of the PCC said: “The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is aware of a letter written to the IOPC by four Conservative MPs.
“We are considering the matters raised and will determine what further action, if any, is required.
“The letter appears to disclose no grounds on which to justify a referral to the IOPC.
“The Commissioner continues to actively hold West Midlands Police to account and act in accordance with due process and the law at all times.”
