Starmer’s Inner Circle Linked to Councillor Behind Maccabi Fans Ban

Summary: Senior Labour figures are facing fresh scrutiny after it emerged that a Birmingham councillor involved in banning Israeli football supporters has long-standing links with figures close to Sir Keir Starmer. The case raises wider questions about political judgement, policing independence and trust in local decision-making.

Why was a councillor involved in the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban?

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The controversy centres on Birmingham Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, a member of the city council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The group includes council officials, police and other authorities and played a role in the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a Europa League match at Aston Villa.

Minutes from the SAG meeting show Zaffar argued that “the community want it stopped”. He had previously called for Israeli teams to be excluded from European competitions, raising concerns about impartiality.

How does this connect to Labour’s leadership?

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Zaffar has been photographed and filmed alongside multiple senior Labour figures, including Sir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell. He has described Mahmood as a “friend” and publicly praised her after her Cabinet promotion.

He has also attended events with Sadiq Khan, Ed Miliband, Jess Phillips and Angela Rayner, fuelling criticism that Labour’s leadership has been too relaxed about his record.

What controversies surround Waseem Zaffar?

Zaffar has previously faced criticism for comments appearing to justify Palestinian terrorism and for accusing Israel of “state-supported terrorism”. In 2016, Labour officials spoke to him over remarks linking violence to Israeli actions.

In 2017, he resigned from Birmingham council’s cabinet after pressuring a Catholic primary school to allow a four-year-old to wear a hijab, without declaring a family connection. Although later cleared under council rules, the episode drew strong criticism from then integration adviser Baroness Casey.

Why does the police angle matter?

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The Maccabi ban has already had serious consequences. West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford stepped down and is now under investigation by the police watchdog over the handling of the decision.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has argued that Zaffar’s prior views should have disqualified him from taking part in SAG discussions at all.

“The fact that one of the SAG members has a history of supporting boycotts of Israel quite obviously should have disqualified him,” a spokesman said.

What are critics saying now?

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the councillor’s links to senior ministers raised “serious questions” about why no one intervened.

With Labour expected to struggle in Birmingham’s upcoming elections, insiders now speculate Zaffar could seek the council leadership. For critics, the episode reinforces wider doubts about Labour’s judgement, neutrality and willingness to confront uncomfortable associations.