Congratulations to Craig Guildford who has finally realised whatever else knew two days ago. The disgraced West Midlands Police chief has, at last, bowed to the inevitable and quit his post with immediate effect. It comes after the Home Secretary announced on Wednesday that she had ‘lost faith’ in Guildford after his force made misleading statements about its decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a game at Villa Park. But – in one final ignominy – he has been allowed to retire voluntarily, rather than face the sack. Par for the course in British policing these days…

In a statement, theWest Midlands Police Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, said:

The Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, has today retired from West Midlands Police with immediate effect. In doing so, he has acted with honour and in the best interests of West Midlands Police and our region. I welcome his decision. I am pleased this outcome has been reached having regard to due process and the law. That has prevented what might otherwise have been a complex procedure that would have caused significant distraction, impact and cost to West Midlands Police and the wider West Midlands. It was important this matter was resolved in a balanced, calm, fair, measured and respectful manner.

Try telling that to the Jewish fans affected eh?