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.

[Mr. Lucky]

You know, it's a long way from Liverpool to New York and navigation across the North Atlantic historically has been fraught with risk this time of year. Any chance the gentleman would care to take a steamer cruise?

[dighton]

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.

“George said it was the intelligence services, his enemies, that were trying to get at me.”

[Semper Paratus]

I hope that the Senate and Fox News tear him a new one.

And that the Scotland Yard Probe is the same one Cartman got from the aliens in South Park.

[MadIvan]

In theory, disqualified people include undischarged bankrupts and those sentenced to more than one year's imprisonment. However, Bobby Sands, a convicted IRA terrorist, stood for election even though he was in prison, and won the vote.

Otherwise, a convicted and imprisoned MP would likely force a by-election in which a new MP would be elected.

Regards, Ivan

[sitetest]

Thanks.

[MadIvan]

Oh no, it should be much more painful than that.

Regards, Ivan

[headsonpikes]

Yee-ha!

Pike the b*stard!

Just kidding - give him a trial first - then pike him. ;^)

[MadIvan]

How does that go? We'll give him a fair trail before a proper hanging?

He's crossed the line far too many times in my view - he ought to have his head cut off and stuck on a pike.

Regards, Ivan

[WL-law]

I must confess, I don't know enough of the facts to make a judgment yet. But what I am suspecting is that Galloway's statement that he never "took a bribe" is finely parsed, and that the truth may be that a charity that he designated received the "bribe" money, for which Galloway received the political credit for his association with the charity.

If this is true, then Saddaam got what he wanted, i.e., influence and an anti-coalition mouthpiece, and Galloway got a "reward" that he argues 'technically' is not a bribe.

And I suspect the harder left-wing elements of the MSM (i.e., the BBC) will back Galloway's novel defining of the bribe/non-bribe distinction.

I also suspect that Galloway will find a way to decline to appear before Coleman's committee, but if he does appear, there'll be some real theatre there!!

[WL-law]

I must confess, I don't know enough of the facts to make a judgment yet. But what I am suspecting is that Galloway's statement that he never "took a bribe" is finely parsed, and that the truth may be that a charity that he designated received the "bribe" money, for which Galloway received the political credit for his association with the charity.

If this is true, then Saddaam got what he wanted, i.e., influence and an anti-coalition mouthpiece, and Galloway got a "reward" that he argues 'technically' is not a bribe.

And I suspect the harder left-wing elements of the MSM (i.e., the BBC) will back Galloway's novel defining of the bribe/non-bribe distinction.

I also suspect that Galloway will find a way to decline to appear before Coleman's committee, but if he does appear, there'll be some real theatre there!!

[shhrubbery!]

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

This oughtta be fun. Brooklyn-born Norm Coleman vs. Glasgow-born (?) Galloway.

Street fight!

[headsonpikes]

he ought to have his head cut off and stuck on a pike.

Your concurrence is noted. ;^)

[Chode]

glad to have been of service to you Sir... i just hope he has to pay back the $$$$$ to the paper!!!

IF he really does show up on the 17^th... be prepaired for uncounted: I Don't Remember's, I Don't Recall's, Not To My Knowledge's, I May Have's, I'll Have To Check My Notes!!!

[jayef]

Here's hoping they probe him thoroughly and deeply!

[expatpat]

I thought it was heavily Muslim. If so, they may be malicious, but not stupid.

[backhoe]

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

-"No Blood for Oil"- Kojo & Kofi: Unbelievable U.N. stories--

-ADSCAM -- Canada's Corruption Scandal Breaks Wide Open--

[Gunrunner2]

Oh, but watch. . .he will try and rant continuously at congress, to use his appearance as propaganda, and will eventually be called to order. Then he will allege he wasn't allowed a chance to offer a defense. Said today in the British press he is looking forward to giving the Senate both barrels. . .and his spokesman clarified that by saying the barrels were not oil.

[Gunrunner2]

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

Yeah. . .he wasn't exactly getting value for money, now was he.

[general_re]

Well, the word on Norm is that he doesn't pull any punches either, so let's see where it goes ;)

[mewzilla]

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.

Since when do diplomats conduct criminal investigations?