Guildford has lost confidence of home secretary – what could happen nextpublished at 15:21 GMT
Phil Mackie
Midlands Correspondent
Craig Guildford is a chief constable who has lost the confidence of the home secretary, and whose resignation or dismissal has been widely expected since a second bruising appearance before the Home Affairs Select Committee last week.
So what could happen next?
Resignation
The mounting pressure becomes so great that Craig Guildford decides his time is up and changes his mind. More damaging headlines in the coming days and weeks could force a rethink.
He could also follow former West Midlands PCC, David Jamieson’s advice and stand down temporarily until the police and crime commissioner makes a decision on his future
Dismissal or sanctions
The PCC, Simon Foster, undertakes his review, which he has said would follow “due process” and decides to sack the chief constable. There is a public hearing scheduled for January 27th at which he’s promised to hold Mr Guildford to account.
The Home Affairs Select Committee publishes its report and the PCC is left with no choice but to sack him. The chief has appeared before the committee at two bruising hearings already.
In the meantime it may publish more documents, like yesterday’s AI apology which may force the issue.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct hasn’t been involved yet. The PCC or the force could refer individual officers for investigation or the IOPC could take matters into its own hands, and decide there’s already enough evidence to investigate individuals.
Guildford toughs it out
The chief constable has support from the Independent MP Ayoub Khan, whose constituency includes Villa Park. Other prominent Muslim politicians and pro Palestinian campaigners have also backed him.
After being put into special measures, West Midlands Police made improvements very quickly and was taken out. Some key crime indicators, while still high have begun to fall.
