Contributions
1,152 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceThe hon. Gentleman is presenting a particular picture of operational independence, which he knows is a difficult line to tread for all Home Secretaries and something that is…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceWith permission, I will make a statement on the decision to ban the travelling fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a game at Villa Park in November last year. The decision was…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceThe message needs to go out loud and clear to everyone that our expectation is that every police force that is making a decision on any cultural or football or other sporting…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceThe hon. Gentleman will know that we do not generally use retrospectivity in our legal system, and to take such a step would be a new innovation. He should wait for the full…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI thank the Lib Dem spokesperson for his remarks. I have, as a matter of courtesy, informed the police and crime commissioner in advance of making this statement that I would be…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceUltimately, the final decision on the West Midlands police’s recommendation to the safety advisory group was from the chief constable.14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceHaving commissioned Sir Andy to investigate these matters, I think it is important that we reflect on his findings. He found that there was no evidence that police officers were…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceIf the shadow Home Secretary made himself familiar with how the law is to be interpreted and implemented, he would well know that section 40 of the 1996 Act, which remains in…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceMy hon. Friend will know that it is not for me to make decisions on prosecutions. I am sure that the IOPC will consider all the findings made by Sir Andy Cooke and act upon them,…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceLet me first say to the shadow Home Secretary that I have long and very personal experience of standing up to extremists in Birmingham, not least in the last general election…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceYou would think that the hon. Member, who I believe used to be a barrister, might be more cognisant of the actual facts in this matter. I am responding to findings made by His…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceLet me assure my hon. Friend that all matters of community cohesion are under intense discussion across Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing,…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceSir Andy Cooke will return to the wider questions as to how safety advisory groups function, who is on them, the role they play and the way in which they should carry out their…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI thank the hon. Gentleman particularly for his assiduous work on the Home Affairs Committee in relation to the hearings on this matter. I would hope that all police leaders have…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI think all the conversations that have happened were set out by one of my officials and by the Policing Minister when they gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee. I am not…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceAntisemitism is a terrible stain upon our country, and it is incumbent on all of us to work together to stamp it out wherever it occurs. Sir Andy’s findings, of course, do not…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI know Villa Park well because, until the general election, it fell within my constituency boundary. After the decision was made, the Government and I—through my officials—asked…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI say to the hon. Gentleman and all Members of the House that we should be led by the findings of the independent inspector, who has been very clear on where evidence was…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI thank my hon. Friend and fellow Birmingham colleague for her question. That is exactly why I have made the statement I have, because I believe all of us in this country need to…14 Jan 2026HANSARDWest Midlands PoliceI expect to receive Sir Andy’s further findings, particularly in relation to how safety advisory groups function and what changes we might need to make, within the next couple of…14 Jan 2026