Papers are stolen from Galloway's house in Portugal

The Independent (U.K.) ^ | 07/28/03 | Marie Woolf

[Pokey78]

George Galloway has suffered a mysterious break-in at his Algarve holiday home, with burglars taking the first draft of his memoirs but leaving behind a stereo and other valuables, including an extensive drinks collection.

The maverick Labour MP's computer and a desk full of private papers were also taken. The MP for Glasgow Kelvin, who was in the UK at the time, believes the burglars may try to sell some papers to the media.

Mr Galloway has begun libel proceedings against The Daily Telegraph and the Christian Science Monitor, an American paper, which alleged he received substantial sums of money from Saddam Hussein's regime. He denies the accusation.

The MP said he was convinced it was not an opportunistic break-in. The burglars, who left no fingerprints, forced their way through security shutters but then appear to have repaired the damage and resecured the house, leaving no sign of a break-in.

"I thought the place was impregnable," Mr Galloway said. "It's a very professional job and they consciously took things of lesser value than others. There were 15,000 words of my book, but I hadn't got to the interesting part yet."

Mr Galloway, whose links to Saddam Hussein's regime are being investigated by the Labour Party, which wants to expel him over his outspoken opposition to the invasion of Iraq, said the thieves would have had to use a four-wheel drive vehicle since the property was difficult to get to.

The break-in is being investigated by Portuguese police.

[Dog]

Black bag operation.

[MizSterious]

Stolen? Or hidden or destroyed, then reported as stolen? This guy is so crooked, I wouldn't be surprised if he's trying to clear up the loose ends.

[Sacajaweau]

Dog, What's a Black Bag Operation??

[mewzilla]

Well, isn't this an interesting development...Are you worried, George? If the black bag boys need anything else to do, I can suggest another couple of MPs they may want to pay a call on...

[Dog]

Ever heard of Watergate?? That was a black bag operation that went bad..

[Dog]

Sac when was the last time you heard of burglars repairing the damage before they leave the scene of a crime. These guys didn't want this theft found out..

[Dog]

What do you think MI-6??

[mewzilla]

Wonder if this has anything to do with Kelly's death? Timing's interesting.

[Dog]

Check this out..

[mewzilla]

Hmmmm, maybe. I just hope it was the good guys. If so, Galloway will be excreting bricks. But then he may be excreting bricks if it was bad guys. Oh, happy day.

[Dog]

They took his computer.....very interesting.

[Dog]

Mr Galloway, whose links to Saddam Hussein's regime are being investigated by the Labour Party, which wants to expel him over his outspoken opposition to the invasion of Iraq, said the thieves would have had to use a four-wheel drive vehicle since the property was difficult to get to.

How about a helicopter??

[mewzilla]

That's what Galloway says. Who knows what (else) they got. Galloway's sure not going to report anything missing that will get him in more hot water.

[Dog Gone]

I doubt this was British Intelligence. They would have either photographed what they wanted, or taken it before torching the place to the ground.

I shed no tears for Galloway. He appears to have been on Saddam's payroll while doing everything possible to undermine the British war effort.

[Sacajaweau]

I'm shaking my head at the repair jobs. He obviously found the papers missing despite the repairs so it makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. I'm in a dither but I'm guessing the object was to destroy evidence. How do we connect him with Kelly and the BBC??

[BOBTHENAILER]

Black bag operation.

My guess as well.

[backhoe]

-MP George Galloway- voice cries "peace," hand in Saddam's till...--

[xm177e2]

they consciously took things of lesser value than others. There were 15,000 words of my book, but I hadn't got to the interesting part yet

"I'm Beautiful and Everyone Else is a Fascist: The World According to George Galloway"

That is pretty low in value... I wonder why anyone would want that?

[xm177e2]

I doubt this was British Intelligence.

I hope not. I mean, from an intelligence standpoint this was a downright pathetic operation. It's obvious that it took place, and it's obvious what its purpose was.