Evil bigots making city a no-go for Jews - peer

Lord Cryer's comments in the Lords come after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa, on 6 November

A peer has called for an official inquiry into what he sees as "an evil plot" by "a bunch of bigots and racists" to turn Birmingham "into a no-go area for Jewish people".

Former MP Lord Cryer's demand follows the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a Europa League match against Aston Villa, and fresh claims this week the ban was based on false intelligence.

There is a need to find out "what the hell is going on in Birmingham city hall", said the Labour peer, raising the issue in the Lords.

The city council has been asked to comment on the Safety Advisory Group's ban, on 6 November, but West Midlands Police said it was based on information and intelligence, with public safety "at its heart".

Responding to Lord Cryer, Labour frontbencher Lord Lemos said a police watchdog's review relating to police risk assessments of high-risk events was under way and it was hoped it will be completed by March.

The match, which was policed by more than 700 officers, passed off without serious disorder, and only a handful of arrests.

More than 700 officers from across the country policed the game at Villa Park

On Wednesday, Lord Cryer told peers: "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.

"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?"

'Credible threat to safety'

The fixture had been classified high risk, with the West Midlands force (WMP) 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.

But the Sunday Times reported this week that Dutch police had disputed the accuracy of the claims of violence, on the day of the match in November 2024.

Referring further to the safety advisory group's (SAG) decision, a WMP spokesperson said: "We assessed the fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder."

The force said it had met Dutch police on 1 October, where information relating to the 2024 fixture was shared.

"Informed by information and intelligence, we concluded that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters - specifically the sub-group known as the Maccabi Fanatics - posed a credible threat to public safety," the spokesperson explained.

"The submission made to the SAG was based on information and intelligence which helped shape understanding of the risks.

"West Midlands Police commissioned a peer review, which was conducted by the UKFPU (United Kingdom Football Policing Unit), the NPCC (National Police Chiefs' Council) and subject matter experts."

It is the first time Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have been banned from a match

The review was carried out on 20 October and fully endorsed the force's approach and decision-making, the spokesperson said.

"We are satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan was effective, proportionate, and maintained the city's reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone," they said.

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

On 31 October, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered the policing watchdog, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), to examine how forces in England and Wales provide risk assessments to safety advisory groups.

The match was policed by more than 700 officers

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.

"I know that the policing minister hopes for earlier feedback from HMI on the situation in the West Midlands and what happened in relation to the intelligence that was available from the Netherlands," he said.

"I am sure the problems at Birmingham City Council will continue to receive much attention."