Galloway may face probe by Scotland Yard

The Evening Standard ^ | May 13, 2005 | Paul Waugh

[MadIvan]

George Galloway could face an investigation by Scotland Yard if British diplomats conclude that there is a case for action in the wake of fresh Iraqi oil allegations, it emerged today.

The Foreign Office said that it had launched an urgent review of a US Senate sub-committee's claims that Saddam Hussein's regime granted Mr Galloway rights to sell up to £268 million worth of oil.

The Charity Commission also confirmed that it was considering a fresh look at its own probe into a charity set up by the former Labour MP, which American senators have claimed was used to conceal payments from Iraq.

A Foreign Office spokesman told the Standard today: "We want to see if there is evidence that will require us to take further action."

The Charity Commission first investigated Mr Galloway's leukemia charity, the Mariam Appeal, last year, but decided to take no action. A spokesman said: "We are currently reviewing the findings of our previous inquiry."

The Respect MP has vowed to fly to Washington next week to testify before the sub-committee.

[MadIvan]

I knew the Prime Minister, and the Government, were salivating for a chance to bring Galloway to justice. To our American friends who made it all possible, I thank you.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[B Knotts]

Good! He belongs in prison, not in Parliament.

[MadIvan]

I trust that Bethnal Green & Bow will become like Palm Beach County in the political lexicon - places particularly infamous for their electoral stupidity.

Regards, Ivan

[GVnana]

Looks like Galloway is one of the big fish.

[prairiebreeze]

I read it was Muslim bloc-voting that won it in Bethnal Gren & Bow for Galloway. Regardless, I'm glad he's feeling the heat at home as well as from across the pond.

[Mr. Silverback]

Galloway may face probe by Scotland Yard

Why do i suddenly have a vision of Chevy Chase: "Moooooooooooooooooon Riiiivveeeer! Jez, are you using the whole fist, doc?"

[Waco]

Nope! Changed his name to George Clinton, Ya gota move on and shut up!

[MadIvan]

It was the stupid bloc that won Bethnal Green & Bow. The Tory and the Liberal Democrat candidates were actual local residents, and Muslim. If they wanted to vote for an anti-war Muslim, they could have voted for the Lib Dem. Instead, they fell for a complete tosser who has no connection with the community whatsoever, and who, being the charlatan that he is, promptly effed off to his villa in Portugal after the election (some champion of the poor and downtrodden he is).

To conclude, the people of Bethnal Green & Bow are drooling morons.

Regards, Ivan

[Mr. Silverback]

Jez=Jeez

[MadIvan]

One can only hope that Scotland Yard use something like an electrified cattle prod in their probe.

Regards, Ivan

[general_re]

I have to wonder now if he'll really appear before the Senate next week - surely Scotland Yard will be taking very careful notes of everything he says. Or is he ballsy enough to think he can continue snowing everyone?

[MadIvan]

Let's not overestimate his intelligence. He thought he could get away with having affairs by telling his wife that any rumours of his having affairs was propaganda supplied by President Bush and the Prime Minister.

In the end, even she walked.

Regards, Ivan

[Mr. Silverback]

"Hold still, Mr. Galloway, this may involve some slight discomfort..."

In all seriousness, find some of Saddam's torture victims and let them have him alone for ten minutes...

[general_re]

One thing working against him is that, in appearing here, he won't be able to hide behind that libel bullshit the way he unfortunately can over there.

[MadIvan]

Extraditing Galloway to face bribery charges in Iraq would be the neatest solution in my view. Even if he wasn't given the death penalty, an Iraqi jail would be pretty much the same sort of thing, except the other criminals would be doing the executing.

Regards, Ivan

[agere_contra]

Galloway: MP for sale.

[MadIvan]

I hope that the Senate and Fox News tear him a new one. To me, he is the most vile and disgusting individual in politics today.

Regards, Ivan

[sitetest]

Dear MadIvan,

What might be a typical trajectory for Mr. Galloway, should the Government decide to prosecute him, and he should decide to hang tough?

Does British law require a MP to step aside while under indictment? What about post-conviction?

Thanks,


sitetest

[MadIvan]

What I find amusing is that Saddam thought he actually had any influence.

Regards, Ivan