Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Villa Park: Probe urged into ‘evil plot’ to turn Birmingham into ‘no-go area for Jews’

An investigation is needed to find out “what the hell is going on in Birmingham city hall”, according to a Labour peer, who called on the Government if required to suspend the council and kick out any councillors involved.

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The hard-hitting intervention by Lord Cryer, who was previously an MP and served as chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party for nine years, follows controversy over the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a football match against Aston Villa, and fresh claims the move was based on false intelligence.

The decision by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (Sag), which brings together the council and police, not to allow supporters from the Israeli team to attend the Europa League match in early November citing security concerns, sparked political outrage with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “angered by the decision”.

However, the club ultimately decided to decline any tickets offered to its fans and the match, policed by more than 700 officers, passed without serious disorder.

The fixture had been classified high risk by West Midlands Police, with the force pointing to alleged violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.

However, the Dutch police has disputed the accuracy of this information, the Sunday Times reported.

The West Midlands force has defended its evaluation and said its plan was “proportionate”.

Meanwhile, policing minister Sarah Jones has written to the chief constable requesting “an urgent response” over the intelligence used that led to the ban.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also ordered the policing watchdog to examine how forces in England and Wales provide risk assessments to safety advisory groups, which inform on measures around high-profile events.

'The police force stands accused of fabricating evidence while under pressure from a bunch of bigots and racists'

Raising the issue in Parliament, Lord Cryer said: “We have a situation where the police force stands accused of fabricating evidence while under pressure from a bunch of bigots and racists – as well as, it pains me to say, a number of Labour councillors – all with one aim: turning Britain’s second-biggest city into a no-go area for Jewish people and they actually succeeded in that.”

He added: “Will the Government undertake to hold an inquiry to find out what the hell is going on in Birmingham city hall and, if necessary, suspend the council and kick out any Labour councillors engaged in this evil plot?”

Responding, Labour frontbencher Lord Lemos said: “Obviously, the police are operationally independent of government, and officials routinely engage with operational partners to support public safety and effective policing.”

It was hoped the review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) would be completed by March, he told peers and added: “I am sure the problems at Birmingham City Council will continue to receive much attention.”

Labour peer Lord Hunt of King’s Heath said: “This was a disgraceful decision.”

He also questioned why it would take the inspectorate so long to report.

Former Brexit MEP and non-affiliated peer Baroness Fox of Buckley said: “The minister constantly stresses the operational independence of the police, yet a Jew-free zone was created in the West Midlands with, it appears, official sanction.

“Does the minister understand that while the Government say they will not tolerate antisemitism, it seems that antisemitism was not only tolerated but officially endorsed, although not necessarily by the Government?

“Unless the Government act very strongly on this, it implies that officialdom thinks that Jews are not welcome in a major city in this country, and it is shameful.”

In reply, Lord Lemos said: “I do not recognise her characterisation of any part of the United Kingdom as being ‘Jew-free’. That is a highly emotive way to describe it.

“However, I share the concerns of those who want to ensure that people of all religions – but, particularly in the current climate, Jewish people – can go about their lives without fear of intimidation.

“I am not sure that emotive rhetoric about Jew-free areas is helpful in this conversation.”