Birmingham Council Admits ‘Human Error’ in Britain First Rally Breach as SUTR Presses for Accountability

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) Birmingham and BRIG continues to press Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police for answers over the decision to allow far-right group Britain First to stage a rally in Victoria Square on 17 May.

Campaigners have condemned the group’s use of the city’s central civic space—with staging, a large screen, and a sound system—despite the Council’s “No Platform” policy. They have also raised allegations of racially biased policing on the day, with Black and Brown residents reportedly moved away from the rally area while white attendees were not.

Council’s Investigation: ‘Human Error’

In a written response, Council Leader Cllr. John Cotton admitted that following initial finding from their internal inquiry a serious breach of security had occurred but attributed it to “human error.” According to Cotton, the Britian First contractors tailgated their entry behind an authorised contractor, who was a regular user of the location being granted access. He went on to note, “the access point used was not the location that had been indicated to either Birmingham City Council or West Midlands Police as the intended entry for Britain First, and the entry was not authorised under agreed protocols.”

He confirmed that the Council has begun strengthening its procedures, including plans for automated access controls to prevent unauthorised entry in future. While HR investigations are ongoing, Cotton emphasised that Birmingham remains “firmly committed to ensuring that the city does not facilitate, support, or provide a platform to any groups whose aim is to cause division or spread hate.”

Calls for Greater Vigilance

In a new follow-up letter, campaigners thanked the Council for its reassurances but pressed for clarity on when the investigation will conclude and whether a public statement of findings will be issued.

“On the initial findings it appears the Council was not vigilant in securing all entry points to the square,” the letter stated. “It was always going to be unlikely that Britain First and their contractor would only attempt to enter via the access points they had declared to the Council and Police. Once access was gained by tailgating an approved contractor, no action seems to have been taken to close the barrier or prevent the vehicles that followed. Nor was there an effort to prevent the erection of staging, toilets and barriers - measures that directly facilitated the rally taking place.”

Police and Crime Commissioners Response

Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) following him receiving a response to our concerns from West Midlands Police has now provided a detailed written response. 

The PCC response is framed by affirming his continued political and personal commitment to opposing all forms of racism and achieving an anti-racist West Midlands. This was illustrated by reference to the commitments to an ‘Equal and Fair West Midlands’ in his Police and Crime Plan (March 2025). 

His response highlighted “access to justice, equality before the law, the rule of law and human right are the basic principles upon which our democracy is built. These principles, together with diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, fairness, justice and equality are the basics, if West Midlands Police (WMP) are to build trust and confidence and police by consent.”

The PCC clarified his role being one of oversight and scrutiny and that operational policing (inclusive of protest policing powers) rests with the Chief Constable, which he can’t interfere in. However, he did seek a response from WMP given the serious nature of the concerns. In providing a response, the PCC reiterated he considered the issues being responded to as non-operational and those concerns relating to operational policing would need to be raised with WMP. 

The PCC’s response states: “On the basis of the information provided I have been provided with: West Midlands Police did not give the right to Britain First, to assemble in Victoria Square. WMP did not route the Britain First march along New Street. The police did not authorise the lowering of bollards, to provide Britain First, with access to Victoria Square.”

The PCC highlighted no reports of hate crime were reported to WMP arising from the Britain First event. In so doing, he provided details on how to report hate crime and make a complaint relating to police officers conduct, which would be investigated by the Professional Standards Department.

The PCC’s response, based on the information provided to him by WMP, do raise further questions that need answering:

• If both the WMP and the Council didn’t agree for Britain First to use Victoria Square, who did? We know the Council issued a ‘No Platform’ notice, which the Police would have been aware of. 

• The Britain Frist rally could only proceed, inclusive of the demonstration, with prior notification and conditions approval by the Police. What was approved and how were Britain First allowed to march through New Street, if not granted permission by the police?  

• Why didn’t the City Council or the Police not stop Britain First assembling their rally staging, once they had gained access to Victoria Square, especially given the Council’s ‘No Platform Policy? 

• The City Council, the PCC and WMP state their commitment to becoming anti-racist organisations, so why were Britian First allowed to make Islamophobic statements? Was there any follow up action with the use video surveillance? When police commanding officers heard unlawfully hate speech at the rally are they not allowed to act and make arrests?

Next Steps

Campaigners argue that stronger coordination between the Council and police is essential, particularly given a national rise in far-right mobilisation. The PCC, Simon Foster has agreed to a joint meeting with SUTR, BRIG, WMP and the Council. Cllr. Cotton indicated that he would give the proposal for a joint meeting further consideration. 

The SUTR response letter to Cllr. Cotton concluded “We would urge you to pursue a joint meeting between us and the police as a matter of urgency. We need to be prepared as a city to safeguard our citizens and public spaces.”

At stake, SUTR says, is not only accountability for May’s rally but Birmingham’s broader commitment to remain a proud City of Sanctuary—multicultural, inclusive, and united against racism.