Robert Jenrick has branded Sir Keir Starmer a “shameless coward” in an explosive tirade over the decision to block Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham.

The former immigration minister said the Labour leader had spent the past week “attacking” him for saying parts of Birmingham were a “failure of integration” before suddenly expressing outrage at the move to ban Israeli supporters.

Mr Jenrick said: “Yes, I do think this vindicates me. Keir Starmer is a completely shameless coward.

“A week ago, he attacked me for saying that the very part of Birmingham, Handsworth and Aston, where Villa Park sits, is a failure of integration.

“He’s not brave enough to actually call out what’s really going on in some communities in our country.

“He doesn’t care about the British Jewish community or about fixing problems like extremism. If he did, he’d do something about it instead of trying to shut down debate.”

Mr Jenrick accused West Midlands Police of “putting community relations above policing without fear or favour”.

He said Jewish football fans were being “unfairly singled out” and that the ban was “deeply wrong”.

“You can’t have a situation where bans are taking place, let’s be honest, this is a ban on one particular club whose fans are predominantly Jewish.”

“We all know what’s going on here,” he said.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Prince William will not attend Aston Villa’s match against Maccabi Tel Aviv
• BBC Newsnight fury erupts as pro-Gaza MP who backed Maccabi Tel Aviv ban ‘given platform’ to defend decision: ‘Why the license fee should GO!’
• Maccabi Tel Aviv chief comes out swinging after decision to ban supporters from Aston Villa match

“The police should just get on and do their job, keep everyone safe and let the match go ahead.”

Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group advised that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should be barred from the November 6 fixture.

No10 has confirmed that talks are happening “at pace” to resolve the row.

The Home Office and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy are working with local officials to find a safe solution.

The Government has condemned the move, and the West Midlands police and crime commissioner has requested a review into it.

But the Home Office was briefed last week on possible measures to restrict fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending, the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) has said.

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “The Safety Advisory Group has made a decision based on a risk assessment provided by West Midlands Police.

“If there is a change in the assessment of risk in the forthcoming match between Aston Villa Football Club and Maccabi Tel Aviv, then the Safety Advisory Group will commit to review its decision as appropriate.”

Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter