Business of the House

Wendy Morton Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

First, I congratulate my right hon. Friend on her award in the new year’s honours, which was extremely well received and very well deserved. I thank her for raising this matter, and I know she has been very vocal about the replacement of the Kennington rail bridge. She has already raised this matter with Ministers, but I would be happy to facilitate a meeting with them to allow her to continue to make her case for her constituents.

[Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)]

The matter of West Midlands police and the Maccabi Tel Aviv football match has rightly been raised in this place, but does the Leader of the House agree that when police conduct falls well below acceptable standards, as it did in the west midlands, elected police and crime commissioners really should take full responsibility and show leadership, and must be held to account for their actions?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Home Secretary has been absolutely clear about the failure of leadership that has harmed the reputation of and eroded public confidence in West Midlands police. The ultimate responsibility for the failure rests with the chief constable, but although we have given a commitment about their future, we would expect police and crime commissioners to step up to the mark as well. The Home Secretary has been very clear about seeking the power to intervene so that chief constables can be held directly to account.