Lorin Bell-Cross

Political Correspondent

Latest from Lorin Bell-Cross

Maccabi Tel Aviv

West Midlands Police chief retires following Maccabi fan ban scandal

The decision follows follows a ‘damning’ report on his handling of the affair

2 min read

West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford (Image: ParliamentTV)

Jewish Labour MP Damien Egan, pictured in 2024 (Photo: Getty)

Education Secretary hints at further action after Jewish pro-Israel MP’s school visit blocked

3 min read

Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer (Photo: Jewish Labour Movement).

Jewish communal leaders press Middle East minister over lack of IRGC ban

3 min read

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Photo: Getty Images)

Health secretary calls on West Midlands Police chief to resign by the end of the day

3 min read

PM says those responsible for Damien Egan MP ban will be held ‘to account’

The Labour MP, who is Jewish and pro-Israel, was prevented from visiting a school in his constituency

3 min read

January 14, 2026 21:41

Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions (Image: House of Commons).

Home Secretary says she has no confidence in chief of West Midlands Police

Shabana Mahmood told MPs the police ‘overstated the threat posed by the Maccabi fans, while understating the risk that posed to the Israeli fans’

6 min read

January 14, 2026 14:54

Chief Constable Craig Guildford of West Midlands Police (Parliament TV)

West Midlands Police apologise for using AI in ‘dodgy dossier’ ahead of Maccabi fan ban

The force’s intelligence report contained reference to a game that never happened between Maccabi and West Ham

3 min read

January 14, 2026 11:49

Outrage after NEU branch stopped Jewish MP from visiting local school

The union’s Bristol branch celebrated its cancellation of MP Damien Egan

3 min read

January 13, 2026 16:23

Labour MP Damien Egan (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

No place for groypers or anyone from far-right in Reform UK declares deputy leader

Richard Tice pledges zero-tolerance policy for party, speaking exclusively to the JC

6 min read

January 13, 2026 15:11

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice (second on the left) with activists (L-R) Jeremy Apfel, Yosef David, councillor Mark Shooter and Hannah Messham. (Image: Mark Shooter)

Middle East minister defends government over claim it does not confront ‘genocide’ language on Israel

Hamish Falconer revealed that in his short time in office he has answered the most Urgent Questions of any minister in recent Labour governments

3 min read

January 12, 2026 16:41

Hamish Falconer (right) and Labour Friends of Israel chair Mark Sewards.

Jewish MP barred from visiting primary school 'in case his presence inflames teachers', minister reveals

Communities secretary Steve Reed warns some incidents in UK now echo 1930s Germany

3 min read

January 11, 2026 16:00

Justice minister rejects claim of ‘two tier’ justice and policing

But West Midlands Police have ‘questions to answer’ over Maccabi fan fan, says Sarah Sackman at Jewish Labour Movement one-day conference

2 min read

January 11, 2026 13:40

Justice minister Sarah Sackman at the Jewish Labour Movement's conference (standing).

Government signals Israel trade talks will resume after phase two of Gaza ceasefire

Treasury minister Lord Stockwood indicates negotiations strengthening business ties could restart soon

4 min read

January 9, 2026 12:50

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Israel's President Isaac Herzog (L) in 10 Downing Street on September 10, 2025. (Image: Getty)

Jerusalem sources deny claim Israeli police failed to attend key West Midlands force meeting on Maccabi fan ban

West Midlands Police claimed their Israeli counterparts ‘missed an opportunity’ to ‘exchange intelligence’, but Israeli officials insist they were never invited

3 min read

January 8, 2026 13:51

A man protests the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the team's Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 06, 2025, in Birmingham (Getty Images)

Maccabi fan ban: Pressure mounts on WMP chief constable to resign following ‘deeply concerning’ revelations

Jewish communal groups have called for Craig Guildford’s resignation, as has opposition leader Kemi Badenoch

4 min read

January 7, 2026 16:00

Party leaders trade barbs over Jewish attorney general and shadow at PMQs

Kemi Badenoch hit out at Lord Hermer’s defence of Gerry Adams and Shamima Begum, while Sir Keir Starmer criticised Lord Wolfson for Roman Abramovich

3 min read

January 7, 2026 15:47

Party leaders trade barbs over Jewish attorney general and shadow at PMQs

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Lorin Bell-Cross

Latest from Lorin Bell-Cross

West Midlands Police chief retires following Maccabi fan ban scandal

Education Secretary hints at further action after Jewish pro-Israel MP’s school visit blocked

Jewish communal leaders press Middle East minister over lack of IRGC ban

Health secretary calls on West Midlands Police chief to resign by the end of the day

More from Lorin Bell-Cross

PM says those responsible for Damien Egan MP ban will be held ‘to account’

Home Secretary says she has no confidence in chief of West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police apologise for using AI in ‘dodgy dossier’ ahead of Maccabi fan ban

Outrage after NEU branch stopped Jewish MP from visiting local school

No place for groypers or anyone from far-right in Reform UK declares deputy leader

Middle East minister defends government over claim it does not confront ‘genocide’ language on Israel

Jewish MP barred from visiting primary school 'in case his presence inflames teachers', minister reveals

Justice minister rejects claim of ‘two tier’ justice and policing

Government signals Israel trade talks will resume after phase two of Gaza ceasefire

Jerusalem sources deny claim Israeli police failed to attend key West Midlands force meeting on Maccabi fan ban

Maccabi fan ban: Pressure mounts on WMP chief constable to resign following ‘deeply concerning’ revelations

Party leaders trade barbs over Jewish attorney general and shadow at PMQs